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

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.