Question

How do you FOIL `(x-2)(x+3)`?

Answer 1

FOIL stands for "First, Outer, Inner, Last."

• "First" refers to the first term of each factor: here, this would be `x` and `x`
• "Outer" refers to the outermost terms of each factor: here this would be `x` and `3`
• "Inner" refers to the innermost terms of each factor (those nearest the middle): here this would be `-2` and `x`
• "Last" refers to the last term of each factor: here this would be `-2` and `3`

Utilizing the foil method, one adds together the indicated products (so the product of the First terms, plus the product of the Outer terms, etc.)

F: `x*x = x^2`
O: `x*3 = 3x`
I: `-2*x = -2x`
L: `-2*3 = -6`

Adding these together yields

`x^2 + 3x - 2x -6 = x^2 +x -6`