Simplifying a quadratic question
- Thread starter Mechaman
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(s-1)2 = (s-1) * (s-1) .......................... now distribute
= s * (s-1) + (-1) * (s-1)
= s2 - s + (-s) + (-1)*(-1)
simplify and continue.....
Otis
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Hello Machaman. I wouldn't say one side of the equation above is simpler than the other side. I would say the expression on the left-hand side is what we get by "expanding" (that means 'multiplying out') the expression on the right-hand side. I would say the right-hand side is what we get by "factoring" the expression on the left-hand side.
The double-distribution steps shown by Khan are also known as the FOIL method. That's how we multiply two binomial expressions, like (s-1)(s-1). You can see the FOIL steps illustrated here, and an animated, worked example of the FOIL method appears about halfway down this page about multiplying polynomials in general.
PS: The grouping symbols highlighted in red above are not needed; they don't change anything.
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