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| FOIL Method A technique for distributing two binomials. The letters FOIL stand for First, Outer, Inner, Last. First means multiply the terms which occur first in each binomial. Then Outer means multiply the outermost terms in the product. Inner means multiply the innermost two terms. Last means multiply the terms which occur last in each binomial. Then simplify the products and combine any like terms which may occur. Example: (x + 2)(x + 5) = x·x + x·5 + 2·x + 2·5 First Outer Inner Last = x2 + 7x + 10 See also Distributing rules, binomial theorem | |
| this page updated 15-jul-23 Mathwords: Terms and Formulas from Algebra I to Calculus written, illustrated, and webmastered by Bruce Simmons Copyright © 2000 by Bruce Simmons All rights reserved | |