FOIL stands for what in algebra?

FOIL stands for what in algebra?

• A. First, Outer, Inner, Last
• B. Final, Outer, Inner, Last
• C. First, Odd, Inner, Last
• D. Factor, Order, Invert, Linearize

Answer: (A)

In algebra, FOIL is a way to multiply two binomials by distributing every term in the first binomial to every term in the second. The letters stand for four products you compute in order: First (multiply the first terms), Outer (multiply the outer terms), Inner (multiply the inner terms), and Last (multiply the last terms). This method ensures you capture all four products when expanding something like (a + b)(c + d). For example, (x + 3)(x + 2) gives First: x·x = x^2, Outer: x·2 = 2x, Inner: 3·x = 3x, Last: 3·2 = 6, and summing gives x^2 + 5x + 6. The other options don’t describe this expansion process.

In algebra, FOIL is a way to multiply two binomials by distributing every term in the first binomial to every term in the second. The letters stand for four products you compute in order: First (multiply the first terms), Outer (multiply the outer terms), Inner (multiply the inner terms), and Last (multiply the last terms). This method ensures you capture all four products when expanding something like (a + b)(c + d). For example, (x + 3)(x + 2) gives First: x·x = x^2, Outer: x·2 = 2x, Inner: 3·x = 3x, Last: 3·2 = 6, and summing gives x^2 + 5x + 6. The other options don’t describe this expansion process.