This Lesson (FOIL Method for Middle Schoolers) was created by by
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Any Small Levels of Math for Elementary and Middle School Users
Lets start out with a simpler problem...FOIL only works for binomials.
(3x^2+5)(2x^2-6)
F= Is For First Terms of Each Problem, in this case, F-6x^4, because you multiply 3x times 2x and get 6x. You then add the exponents in a multiplication problem, such as exponentials 2+2. You then get 6x^4
O= Is for the outer termsof each binomial. In this case, O- -18x^2, doing as if what you did in F.
I= Is for the inner terms in each binomial. In this case, I- 10x^2...getting it?
L= Is for the last terms of each binmoial. In this case, L- -30.
put all the terms together, 6x^4-18x^2+10x^2-30
add all like terms, in this case, the like terms are -18x^2 and 10x^2. The equal terms are -8x^2.
now put the terms together, and you have: 6x^4-8x^2-30.
now you have your answer, it is 6x^4-8x^2-30.
GOOD JOB IF YOU UNDERSTOOD IT!!
if not, i can post another example later.
such as:
(9t+12)(12t-18)
F= equals....first terms...first terms are 9t and 12t equaling 108t^2 when multiplying.
O= equals....outer terms....outer terms are 9t and -18 equaling to -162t.
I= equals....inner terms....inner terms are 12 and 12t equaling to 144t.
L= equals....last terms.....last terms are 12 and -18 equaling to -216.
108t^2-162t+144t-216.
add like terms, like terms are -162t and 144t.
those equal up to -18 t.
end of the problem is 108t^2-18t-216.
more examples, will post later.
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