Sophie has a rectangular garden with a length of (x - 5) and a width of (x + 4). Use the FOIL method to come up with the area of the garden. Your answer should be a simplified polynomial without parentheses. Explain how you used the FOIL method to get your answer.

Question

Sophie has a rectangular garden with a length of (x - 5) and a width of (x + 4). Use the FOIL method to come up with the area of the garden.  Your answer should be a simplified polynomial without parentheses. Explain how you used the FOIL method to get your answer.

campbell_st · Answer

just split it then distribute

$$A = (x - 5)(x + 4)$$

which is 

$$A=x(x + 4) - 5(x + 4)$$

just distribute and collect like terms... 

its easier than foil

anonymous · Answer

$$A=lw$$$$l=(x-5)$$$$w=(x+4)$$$$A=(x-5)(x+4)$$
$$FOIL=\text{First, Outside, Inside, Last}$$|dw:1370240836680:dw|so you would have:$$(x\times x)(x\times4)(-5\times x)(-5\times4)$$which i think you should be able to complete :)