# Thread: solving equations with syntax: y(x+2)(x+2)

1. ## solving equations with syntax: y(x+2)(x+2)

solving equations with syntax: y(x+2)(x+2)

Do I foil the parentheses first? distribute the y on both? multiply y with one, the distribute to the second parentheses?

2. Originally Posted by Shmuel
solving equations … y(x+2)(x+2)

Do I foil the parentheses first? distribute the y on both? multiply y with one, the distribute to the second parentheses?
This is not an equation. It's called an expression. (All equations contain an equal sign.)

We do not solve expressions; we simplify them.

You can foil first. Then you will have:

y*(quadratic polynomial) and you can now distribute the y, to finish.

You can distribute first. Then you will have:

(linear binomial containing both x and y)*(x + 2) and you can now foil, to finish.

But do not distribute the y twice!

If this expression is, in fact, part of an equation to solve, then you might not need to foil or distribute. Please post the entire exercise.

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