FOIL METHOD
F.O.I.L. stands for F- first terms, O- outside terms, I- inside terms, L- last terms. All that this really means is that if we had the equation for example (x+7)(x+46) and are told to multiply it, then we would take F. our first terms x and x, and multiply them together to get x^2 ( x squared). Next we would take O. our outside terms x and 46 and multiply them to get 46x. The next step we take is I. our inside terms 7 and x and multiply them to get 7x. The last step of the foil method is L. our last terms 7 and 46, we take them and multiply them together to get 322. So now our equation is x^2+46x+7x+322. Now we add our like terms together to simplify. Our answer comes our to x^2+53x+322.
Example 2:
Multiply (a+8)(a-5)
Yet again we use our F.O.I.L. method and start with F. by taking a times a which will = a^2. Next we take O. which is a times -5 which ='s -5a. Then we take I. which is 8 times a and that ='s 8a. Last we take L. which is 8 times -5 which will = -40.
Now we have the equation of a^2-5a+8a-40. You now combine all the like terms together and you should get the answer of a^2+3a-40
Example 3:
Multiply (2x-3)(3x+2)
We again start with the F.O.I.L. method. Start with F. by taking 2x times 3x which ='s 6x^2 (6x squared). Next take O. by taking 2x times 2 which ='s 4x. Then take I. by taking -3 times 3x which ='s -9x. Last take L. by taking -3 times 2 which ='s -6.
We now have the equation of 6x^2=4x-9x-6. Now you combine all the like terms together and get the answer of 6x^2-5x-6.
