Lesson: Advance Algebra - 03

Introduction to FOIL

The FOIL Method is a process used in algebra to multiply two binomials. The lesson on the Distributive Property, explained how to multiply a monomial or a single term such as 7 by a binomial such as (4 + 9x). 7 (4 + 9x)
But, what if there was a binomial instead of a single term outside of the parentheses? That is, what if a binomial was being multiplied by another binomial? An example of this is given below.
(3 + 7x)(6 + 2x)

On standardized tests, quadratics usually result from multiplying two binomials. Binomials are mathematical expressions involving the sum or difference of a variable and a number (“x + 1” is a binomial). In other words, an expression like can be written as : On test day, you may have to turn an expression that’s written in one form into its other expression. Does FOIL ring a bell? FOIL stands for: The product of the F irst terms, added to …the product of the O utside terms, added to …the product of the I nside terms, added to …the product of the L ast terms. Let’s take a look.

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