Multiply and simplify: (x^1/2 +2)(x^1/2 -4)?

Question

Please explain how to multiply and simplify: (x^1/2+2)(x^1/2-4).

I'm thinking that the answer would be x^1/4 - 2x^1/4 -8...but I'm not sure if that's right. Please try to explain the steps.

Answer 1

(x^1/2 +2)(x^1/2 -4)

x^1/4 + 2x^1/2 - 4x^1/2 -8 =

x^1/4 -2x^1/2 -8

Answer 2

Expand the equation (x^1/2+2)(x^2-4) using the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last). This is just a mnemonic, you can go in any order, as long as you do all the multiplications.

Once you do, you'll get the following:
(x^1/2 * x^1/2) + (-4*x^1/2)+(2*x^1/2)+(2*-4)

Remember that exponents add when multiplied simplifies to the answer: x-2x^1/2-8

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Use FOIL

First: x^1/2 * x^1/2
Outside: x^1/2 * -4
Inside: +2 * x^1/2
Last: +2 * -4

Answer 4

Distribute twice, or use the FOIL method

(x^1/2 +2)(x^1/2 -4)

=(x^1/2)(x^1/2)+(x^1/2)(-4)
+2(x^1/2)+(2)(-4)

=x-2x^1/2-8

Remember when you multiply numbers to some power, you add the exponents.

Answer 5

Almost. The answer is:

x^1/4-2x^1/2-8.