1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $ (x+3)(x-4) $. 2. **Use the distributive property (FOIL method):** Multiply each term in the first parenthesis by each term in the second parenthesis. 3. **Calculate each product:** - First: $x \times x = x^2$ - Outer: $x \times (-4) = -4x$ - Inner: $3 \times x = 3x$ - Last: $3 \times (-4) = -12$ 4. **Combine all terms:** $$x^2 - 4x + 3x - 12$$ 5. **Simplify by combining like terms:** $$x^2 - \cancel{4x} + \cancel{3x} - 12 = x^2 - x - 12$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$x^2 - x - 12$$ This is the expanded and simplified form of the product $(x+3)(x-4)$.