Question

using the foil method: FOIL. (a+4)(a-2)

Answer 1

i know it means, first, outer, inner, last. BUT i multiply them? so a times a? first = a^2?

Answer 2

consider the following:

2*2 = 2^2
3*3 = 3^2
5*5 = 5^2

a*a = ?

Answer 3

a^2

Answer 4

very good :)

Answer 5

I hate foil. Such a waste of brain space ;p

Answer 6

Yes, you multiply them.

Answer 7

so : a^2+2a-8 is the answer? did i do it right? (simplified, of course)

Answer 8

That is correct!

Answer 9

foil is not a favorite, either is most of the other math...haha

Answer 10

Well my issue with foil is that it only works with products in the form:
(a+b)(c+d)

But you already learned distribution which is much more robust, and is the underlying reason why foil works, so why not just distribute.

Answer 11

x(4x-5)(x+8)
=
4x^2-4x+8 ?

Answer 12

distributing is the proper ... way to go about it.

Answer 13

not quite lish.

Answer 14

id multiply the last two "terms" first then multiply in that x

Answer 15

Start by just leaving the first x factor out in front and just foil the back two, then distribute the x into what you got from foil

Answer 16

@Amistre s/term/factor/

Answer 17

<3

Answer 18

:) its me florida accent lol

Answer 19

I'm a pedant. Sorry again. =)

Answer 20

4x^3-27x^2-40x ?

Answer 21

yes. Nice job.

Answer 22

wooo hoooo. i thank you guys for putting up with all my questions!

Answer 23

It's what we do =)

Answer 24

when i use the foil for this (2s+6)(2s-6) when i get my answer 4s^2+s-36 should that s not be in there since the product of those inner numbers is zero?