Algebra Practice Test

What does the expression 3x² represent when expanded?

1. (3)(x)(x)

2. 3x + x

3. 3x^2

4. x^3

The correct answer is: (3)(x)(x)

The expression 3x² represents a mathematical term that quantifies a variable raised to the second power, multiplied by a coefficient. When you expand this expression, it emphasizes that the variable x is being used twice in a multiplicative context. Thus, 3x² can be understood as 3 multiplied by the variable x times itself, which translates to (3)(x)(x). This shows that we have three times the product of x and x, aligning perfectly with the definition of a squared term. The other options do not accurately reflect the structure of 3x². For instance, 3x + x does not represent the product form; it combines the terms instead. Meanwhile, both 3x² and x³ are different expressions that do not represent the expansion of 3x² itself, as they do not break down the multiplication carried out in the original expression.