(a-5)(a-3)

To expand the expression \((a - 5)(a - 3)\), you can use the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials). Here's the step-by-step expansion: 1. **First:** Multiply the first terms: \(a \times a = a^2\) 2. **Outer:** Multiply the outer terms: \(a \times (-3) = -3a\) 3. **Inner:** Multiply the inner terms: \(-5 \times a = -5a\) 4. **Last:** Multiply the last terms: \(-5 \times -3 = 15\) Now combine all these results: \[ a^2 - 3a - 5a + 15 \] Combine the like terms \(-3a\) and \(-5a\): \[ a^2 - 8a + 15 \] Thus, the expanded form of \((a - 5)(a - 3)\) is: \[ a^2 - 8a + 15 \]