Expanding the Given Algebraic Expression

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 97 views

Introduction

In algebra, a trinomial is a polynomial expression consisting of three terms. It is a fundamental concept in mathematics, and understanding how to express algebraic expressions as trinomials is crucial for solving various mathematical problems. In this article, we will focus on expressing the given algebraic expression $(3x - 4)(3x - 6)$ as a trinomial.

What is a Trinomial?

A trinomial is a polynomial expression that consists of three terms. It can be expressed in the form of $ax^2 + bx + c$ , where $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ are constants, and $x$ is the variable. Trinomials are used to represent various mathematical relationships and are essential in solving quadratic equations.

Expanding the Given Algebraic Expression

To express the given algebraic expression $(3x - 4)(3x - 6)$ as a trinomial, we need to expand it using the distributive property. The distributive property states that for any real numbers $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ , $a(b + c) = ab + ac$ . We can apply this property to expand the given expression.

Step 1: Apply the Distributive Property

To expand the given expression, we need to multiply each term in the first expression $(3x - 4)$ by each term in the second expression $(3x - 6)$ . This will result in a sum of two products.

import sympy as sp

# Define the variables
x = sp.symbols('x')

# Define the expressions
expr1 = 3*x - 4
expr2 = 3*x - 6

# Expand the expression using the distributive property
expanded_expr = sp.expand(expr1 * expr2)

print(expanded_expr)

Step 2: Simplify the Expanded Expression

After expanding the expression, we need to simplify it by combining like terms. This will result in a trinomial expression.

import sympy as sp

# Define the variables
x = sp.symbols('x')

# Define the expanded expression
expanded_expr = 9*x**2 - 18*x - 12*x + 24

# Simplify the expression by combining like terms
simplified_expr = sp.simplify(expanded_expr)

print(simplified_expr)

Expressing the Algebraic Expression as a Trinomial

After simplifying the expanded expression, we can express the given algebraic expression $(3x - 4)(3x - 6)$ as a trinomial.

import sympy as sp

# Define the variables
x = sp.symbols('x')

# Define the simplified expression
simplified_expr = 9*x**2 - 30*x + 24

# Print the final expression
print(simplified_expr)

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed how to express the given algebraic expression $(3x - 4)(3x - 6)$ as a trinomial. We have applied the distributive property to expand the expression and then simplified it by combining like terms. The final expression is a trinomial of the form $ax^2 + bx + c$ , where $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ are constants, and $x$ is the variable. Understanding how to express algebraic expressions as trinomials is crucial for solving various mathematical problems, and this article has provided a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

References

[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Algebra. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra
[2] Mathway. (n.d.). Algebra. Retrieved from https://www.mathway.com/subjects/algebra

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a trinomial? A: A trinomial is a polynomial expression consisting of three terms.
Q: How do I express an algebraic expression as a trinomial? A: To express an algebraic expression as a trinomial, you need to expand it using the distributive property and then simplify it by combining like terms.
Q: What is the distributive property? A: The distributive property states that for any real numbers $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ , $a(b + c) = ab + ac$ .
Frequently Asked Questions: Expressing Algebraic Expressions as Trinomials ====================================================================

Q: What is a trinomial?

A: A trinomial is a polynomial expression consisting of three terms. It can be expressed in the form of $ax^2 + bx + c$ , where $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ are constants, and $x$ is the variable.

Q: How do I express an algebraic expression as a trinomial?

A: To express an algebraic expression as a trinomial, you need to expand it using the distributive property and then simplify it by combining like terms. The distributive property states that for any real numbers $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ , $a(b + c) = ab + ac$ .

Q: What is the distributive property?

A: The distributive property is a fundamental concept in algebra that allows you to expand an algebraic expression by multiplying each term in the first expression by each term in the second expression.

Q: How do I apply the distributive property?

A: To apply the distributive property, you need to multiply each term in the first expression by each term in the second expression. This will result in a sum of two products.

Q: What is the difference between expanding and simplifying an algebraic expression?

A: Expanding an algebraic expression involves applying the distributive property to multiply each term in the first expression by each term in the second expression. Simplifying an algebraic expression involves combining like terms to reduce the expression to its simplest form.

Q: How do I simplify an algebraic expression?

A: To simplify an algebraic expression, you need to combine like terms. Like terms are terms that have the same variable and exponent. You can combine like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

Q: What is the importance of expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials?

A: Expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials is crucial for solving various mathematical problems, including quadratic equations. It allows you to simplify complex expressions and make them easier to work with.

Q: Can I use technology to help me express algebraic expressions as trinomials?

A: Yes, you can use technology, such as graphing calculators or computer algebra systems, to help you express algebraic expressions as trinomials. These tools can perform calculations and simplify expressions for you.

Q: Are there any common mistakes to avoid when expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials?

A: Yes, there are several common mistakes to avoid when expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials. These include:

Failing to apply the distributive property correctly
Failing to simplify the expression by combining like terms
Making errors when multiplying or adding terms

Q: How can I practice expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials?

A: You can practice expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials by working through examples and exercises in your textbook or online resources. You can also try creating your own examples and challenging yourself to express them as trinomials.

Q: Are there any resources available to help me learn more about expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials?

A: Yes, there are several resources available to help you learn more about expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials. These include:

Textbooks and online resources
Video tutorials and online courses
Graphing calculators and computer algebra systems
Online communities and forums

Conclusion

Expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials is a fundamental concept in algebra that requires practice and patience to master. By understanding the distributive property and how to simplify expressions, you can express complex algebraic expressions in a simpler form. Remember to practice regularly and seek help when needed to become proficient in expressing algebraic expressions as trinomials.