What does F.O.I.L. stand for when multiplying binomials?

Question

anonymous · Answer

first outter inner last??

tkhunny · Answer

My recommendation: Don't find out.  Forget you ever heard it.  Just learn how to multiply.

pooja195 · Answer

FOIL stands for
First
Outer
Inner
Last
Its used in multiplying polynomials, but specifically it references multiplying two two-term polynomials ie. (x+3)(x+2)
To FOIL, we multiply the first terms in both polynomials, the x's

 
x*x
then the outer meaning the first x and the 2
x*2
then the inner meaning the 3 and the second x
3*x
then the lasts meaning the 3 and the 2
3*2
So, x^2+2x+3x+6 now combine like terms
x^2+5x+6

anonymous · Answer

Just use the distributive property.

whpalmer4 · Answer

I agree with @tkhunny and @wio.  FOIL is only useful for multiplying binomials, but you need to know how to multiply anything.

whpalmer4 · Answer

Take the first term of the thing on the left.  Multiply it against everything on the right.  Repeat with all the remaining terms of the thing on the left.  Add up the pieces.

anonymous · Answer

Ohh ok. Thanks.