coefficient help?

Question

What's the coefficient of x^2 when 6x^2-2/5x+1 is multiplied by 10x+1/3?

Answer 1

If you imagine expanding the product of these two polynomials, there will be two x² terms before you collect like terms.

 

They are (6x²)(1/3) = 2x² and (-2x/5)(10x) = -4x²

 

So the x² term in the product is 2-4 = -2.