Question

(x+2)(x-3)?

Answer 1

Foil it out..

Answer 2

never understood that foil method

Answer 3

Given two binomials, you have to multiply each term by each term. So lets do it out term by term.

Answer 4

Well I never did either. Or rather I understand it, but I can't ever be bothered to do it that way.

Answer 5

Here's what I do instead:
\[(x+2)(x-3) = x(x-3) + 2(x-3)\]

Answer 6

Start with the x+2. You need to multiple out each term in the other binomial(namely x and -3) then add them together. So you get: x(x)+(x)(-3) and (2*x)+(2)(-3)

Answer 7

then distribute.

Answer 8

exactly^^

Answer 9

(x+a)(x+b) = x^2 + (a+b)x + (a*b)
substitute a and b

Answer 10

Works great as long as you're only multiplying two binomials that have only 2 terms each. ;)