FOIL Method
How to use the FOIL method to multiply two binomials (a + b)(c + d): formula, 1 example, and its solution.
Formula
The FOIL method is a way
to multiply two binomials:
(a + b)(c + d).
FOIL is 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(x - 2)(x - 3)
Solution
Solution (Detail)
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.