FOIL Method
How to use the FOIL method to multiply two binomials (a + b)(c + d): formula, 1 example, and its solution.
FOIL Method
Formula
The FOIL method is a way to multiply two binomials:
(a + b)(c + d).
FOIL shows the order of multiplication.
Multiply the First two terms: ac.
Multiply the Outer terms: +ad.
Multiply the Inner terms: +bc.
Multiply the Last two terms: +bd.
So (a + b)(c + d) = ac + bd + bc + bd.
Example
Example
Solution
First multiply the First two terms: x⋅x = x2.
Multiply the Outer terms: x⋅(-3) = -3x.
Multiply the Inner terms: (-2)⋅x = -2x.
And multiply the Last two terms: (-2)⋅(-3) = +6.
So (x - 2)(x - 3) = x2 - 3x - 2x + 6.
-3x - 2x = -5x
So x2 - 5x + 6 is the answer.