Chapter 5: Problem 43
Multiply. $$ (3 x-1)(3 x+1) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The product is \(9x^2 - 1\).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Type of Expression
The expression \((3x-1)(3x+1)\) is a product of conjugates. Conjugates are expressions of the form \((a-b)(a+b)\).
02
Use the Formula for Conjugates
The product of conjugates is given by the formula \((a-b)(a+b) = a^2 - b^2\). In this problem, \(a = 3x\) and \(b = 1\).
03
Substitute into the Formula
Substitute the values of \(a\) and \(b\) into the formula: \[(3x-1)(3x+1) = (3x)^2 - (1)^2.\]
04
Compute Each Term
Calculate \((3x)^2\) and \((1)^2\): - \((3x)^2 = 9x^2\).- \((1)^2 = 1\).
05
Simplify the Expression
Combine the terms to simplify: \[9x^2 - 1.\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Product of Conjugates
When you come across an expression like \[(3x-1)(3x+1),\] you are dealing with what is called a "product of conjugates." Conjugates are special pairs of binomials, expressed in the pattern \[(a-b)(a+b).\] This means that the expressions have identical terms with opposite signs between them.
The beauty of working with conjugates lies in their simplicity, because multiplying them leads to a straightforward result. Instead of expanding each term and combining, you can use an important algebraic formula:
The beauty of working with conjugates lies in their simplicity, because multiplying them leads to a straightforward result. Instead of expanding each term and combining, you can use an important algebraic formula:
- \((a-b)(a+b) = a^2 - b^2\).
Multiplying Binomials
Though the formula for conjugates simplifies our work, understanding how to multiply binomials in general is a vital skill. Binomials are expressions with two terms, and multiplying them requires you to use the distributive property. This is often remembered with the acronym FOIL:
- First: Multiply the first terms of each binomial.
- Outer: Multiply the outer terms.
- Inner: Multiply the inner terms.
- Last: Multiply the last terms of each binomial.
- First: \(3x \times 3x = 9x^2\)
- Outer: \(3x \times 1 = 3x\)
- Inner: \(-1 \times 3x = -3x\)
- Last: \(-1 \times 1 = -1\)
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions is about combining like terms to make an expression as concise as possible. After using the product of conjugates formula, we landed with \[9x^2 - 1.\]This step might seem trivial, but it is crucial; it ensures that you present your final answer neatly and logically.
Here are some tips for simplification:
Here are some tips for simplification:
- Always look for terms that can be combined, such as similar variables or constants.
- Check your work to ensure no like terms are left uncombined.
- Ensure your coefficients are as reduced as possible, avoiding any common factors.