SOLUTION: 5x-7(x-6). The answer in the back of the book says -2x+42 but I can't figure out how they arrived at that! Please help!!! I understand the concept of FOIL (First, Outside, Inside,

Question 215105: 5x-7(x-6). The answer in the back of the book says -2x+42 but I can't figure out how they arrived at that! Please help!!! I understand the concept of FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last) but for some reason I can't seem to get beyond 5x squared. 5x squared - 30x -7x +42, then what? Like terms? Or do I divide by "x"? EEEK!
Found 3 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon, checkley77:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(21667)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You don't use FOIL here. You simply distribute.

Start with the given expression.

Distribute

Multiply

Combine like terms.

So

Note: if the expression was (take note of the set of parenthesis around ), then you would FOIL.

Answer by stanbon(48545)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I can't seem to get beyond 5x squared. 5x squared - 30x -7x +42, then what? Like terms?
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Yes, Like terms.
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5x^2 - 30x - 7x + 42
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= 5x^2 - 35x + 42
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Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by checkley77(12569)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5x-7(x-6) multiply -7(x-6)=-7x+42
5x-7x+42 add 5x & -7x=-2x
-2x-42 divive both terms by -2 to reduce it to it's lowest terms.
-2(x+21) ans.