Question

Can someone help me understand what FOIL means

Answer 1

First, Outside, Inside, Last.. :P

Answer 2

This should help!! http://prntscr.com/6llrqj

Answer 3

ik, but how do we solve a problem using FOIL @eta

Answer 4

See, here :
\((a+b)(c+d)\)

Answer 5

in example

(a+b)(c+d) multiply first terms

ac then outside ad inside bd lastly last terms bd

so we have
ac+ad+bc+bd

Answer 6

foil doesnt 'mean' anything. its just a way for lazy teachers to pass the time.

if you are going to memorize anything ..... memorize the distributive property, since that is a real mathical property.

Answer 7

You want to multiply those two factors..

Answer 8

first, inner, outer, last.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I never learned FOIL, just multiply all the terms in one parenthesis to all the terms in the 2nd parenthesis.

Answer 11

distributive property is:

a(x+y) = ax + ay

as such: we can distribute a polynomial thru another polynomial

(a+b)(x+y)

a(x+y)+b(x+y), and then distribute things again

ax+ay+bx+by

Answer 12

That is why you are Honorary Professor.. @iGreen :P

Answer 13

Hehehe

Answer 14

@amistre64 Is higher than that @eta

Answer 15

Of course he is, he is not only elder than me, but he is moderator too. :P

Answer 16

i am robot :)

Answer 17

okay so when we do that do we multiply the numbers.. can u help me with this question. simplify the product using FOIL.. (4x-4)(3x-4) @amistre64

Answer 18

first we're gonna multiply 4x and 3x right ?

Answer 19

yea

Answer 20

lets work the process

(4x-4)(3x-4) , distribute once

4x(3x-4) -4(3x-4) , and distribute again

4x(3x) -4(-4x) -4(3x) -4(-4)

Answer 21

alot of 4s, my fingers might have gone a little wonky :) lets rechk that

Answer 22

lets work the process

(4x-4)(3x-4)

4x(3x-4) -4(3x-4)

4x(3x) +4x(-4) -4(3x) -4(-4)
^^^^^
thats better

Answer 23

does that make sense?

Answer 24

okay 12x^2 + -4x - 12x - 4 ?

Answer 25

its kinda confusing

Answer 26

foil is a bad notion simply becuase it is too specific and what happens when you come across something like:

(a+b) (x+y+z) .... trying to memorize a 'foil' for this is pointless. its just the distribution property of algebra that is doing the work.

a(x+y+z) +b(x+y+z)

ax+ay+az +bx+by+bz

Answer 27

4x(3x) +4x(-4) -4(3x) -4(-4)
12x^2 -16x -12x +16

12x^2 -38x +16

Answer 28

-28x, not -38x ... typing and mathing just dont mix for me lol

Answer 29

its a multiple choice question and these are the choices that they gave me
A) 12x^2 - 28x + 16
B) 12x^2 - 4x - 16
C) 12x^2 + 4x - 16
D) 12x^2 + 28x + 16
i dont want the answer i just wanna understand how to solve it

Answer 30

spose we had something like 3(2+4), we can distribute the 3 thru the paranthesis to get:

3(2) + 3(4)

and solve as 6+12 = 18

see, why this works .... 3 times something is just the sum of that thing 3 times

3x = x+x+x

3(2+4) = 2+4 + 2+4 + 2+4
= 2+2+2 + 4+4+4
= 3(2) + 3(4)

-------------------------------
how to solve your problem using the distribution property of algebra (which is the what the mathmatical process of 'foil' is trying to get you to memorize).

(4x-4) (3x-4) how do we distribute one thru the other?

Answer 31

so basically, the rule FOIL is exactly like distributing ? @amistre64

Answer 32

i need help, can someone help me understand @iambatman @SyedMohammed98

Answer 33

http://www.algebrahelp.com/lessons/simplifying/foilmethod/
This might help =)

Answer 34

@THEKIDREAL

Answer 35

oh i get it.. so u will add the inner and outer and thats how u get ur answer @SyedMohammed98
thanks for helping me :) @eta @amistre64 @drummergirlswag2002 @layla8766 @SyedMohammed98

Answer 36

You're Welcome =)

Answer 37

the 'rule' FOIL _is_ distributing.

FOIL is a memory device, thats it. it doesnt do anything other than take up space in the brain in the hopes that remembering how to spell will cast some nugget of recollection about how to do math.

FOIL stands for:

F.irsts
O.uts
I.ns
L.asts

it may be that it saves a fraction of a second when trying to work binomials (specifically) by hand, or mentally. But a better method would be to stack the binomials ...

(4x -4)
(3x -4)

multiply down, and on diagonals, then and the results