1. Want to make Multiplying Binomials Easier? Let’s use the FOIL Method!
September 11, 2014
Katelin Barber

2. Table of Contents The Distributive Property What is the Foil Method?
First
Outside
Inside
Last
Combine like Terms
The FOIL Song
Additional Links
The Cons
Review

3. The Distributive Property
Multiply (x+3)(x+4) by using
the distributive property.
(x+3)(x+4)
x(x+4)+3(x+4)
x2 +4x+3x+12
Combine like terms
x2 +7x+12
A shortcut of the distributive property is called the FOIL method

4. The FOIL Method
The FOIL Method is only used when you multiply two binomials. Let’s use the FOIL method to multiply the following binomials (x+3)(x+4)

5. F tells you to multiply the FIRST terms
of each binomial
(x+3)(x+4)= x2

6. O tells you to multiply the OUTSIDE terms
of each binomial
(x+3)(x+4)=
x2 +4x

7. Inside
I tells you to multiply the INSIDE terms of each binomial (x+3)(x+4)= x2 +4x+3x

8. Last
L tells you to multiply the LAST terms of each binomial (x+3)(x+4)= x2 +4x+3x+12

9. Combine like terms
x2 +4x+3x+12= x2 +7x+12 By using the distributive property or the FOIL method, we get the same answer! Now which one do you think is easier?

10. Here are additional links for better understanding
The Distributive Property FOIL Method Combining Like Terms

11. The Cons The FOIL method cannot be used everywhere.
It is useful for ONLY multiplying two binomials.
It CANNOT be used for problems such as
(x-3)(x2+x-6)
(x2+6x+9)(x2+2x-8)

12. Review
Using the FOIL method is easy and very beneficial for multiplying binomials.
First the first two terms of the binomials
Outside the outside two terms of the binomials.
Inside the inside terms of the binomials.
Last the last terms of the binomials.
You must always keep in mind that it ONLY works for multiplying two binomials.