What does the FOIL method stand for?

FOIL stands for FIRST, OUTSIDE, INSIDE, LAST and is a method used to help expand brackets.

For instance:

(a + 3) (2a + 5)

F (the first in each bracket multiplied together) - a x a = a²

O (the outside in each bracket multiplied together) - a x 5 = 5a

I (the inside in each bracket multiplied together) - 3 x 2a = 6a

L the last in each bracket multiplied together - 3 x 5 = 15

The 5a and 6a can be added --> 5a + 6a = 11a

Therefore the final answer would be a² + 11a + 15

FOIL stands for First, Outside, Inside, Last. We use this method when we expand brackets. This means we multiply the first terms of each bracket, the outside terms, the inside terms and the last terms. We then add all the common terms together and simplify where possible

(2x+3)(x-4)

F-first (times the first two quantities in each other brackets. Eg 2x times x)

O- outer (times the outer quantities in the brackets. Eg 2x times -4)

I- inner (times the inner two quantities in the brackets. Eg 3 times x)

L- last (times the last two quantities in the brackets. Eg +3 times -4)