3(x-2)^2-2(x-1)

Question

I'm confused on what you do with the exponet

Answer 1

The exponent applies only to teh term it is next to. In this case, it applies to teh binomial in teh parentheses.

3(x+2)² - 2(x+1)

3(x+2)(x+2) - 2(x+1)

FOIL the (x+2)(x+2) and distribute the -2:

3(x² + 2x + 2x + 4) - 2x - 2

Distribute the 3:

3x² + 6x + 6x + 12 - 2x - 2

Combine like terms

3x² + 10x + 10