Thread: Is this right?

Evaluate: x(x + 1)(x - 1)

I think I did this right.

x(x) + x(1) + x(x) + x(-1)

x^2 + 1x + x^2 + -1x

x^2 + 1x^3 + -1x

x^2 - 1x^4 <-- is this right?

x(x + 1)(x - 1)

is the same as

x[(x + 1)(x - 1)], so lets do what is inside the brackets first.

Using FOIL method (FOIL is First Outer Inner Last, ask me if you need clarification)

x[x^2 - x + x - 1]

- x + x cancels, now distribute the x

x^3 - x <---ANSWER

Thank you for the help.