FOIL Calculator

Multiply two binomials (ax+b)(cx+d) using the FOIL method with step-by-step breakdown.

Inputs

a (first binomial, x coeff)

b (first binomial, constant)

c (second binomial, x coeff)

d (second binomial, constant)

Product

2x² - 5x - 12

First (a·c)x²

2.0000

Outer (a·d)x

-8.0000

Inner (b·c)x

3.0000

Last (b·d)

-12.0000

Values used
a (first binomial, x coeff) = 2; b (first binomial, constant) = 3; c (second binomial, x coeff) = 1; d (second binomial, constant) = -4
FOIL Method
(ax+b)(cx+d) = acx² + (ad+bc)x + bd
Product
= 2x² - 5x - 12
First (a·c)x²
= 2.0000
Outer (a·d)x
= -8.0000
Inner (b·c)x
= 3.0000
Last (b·d)
= -12.0000

FOIL stands for First, Outer, Inner, Last — the four products formed when multiplying two binomials (ax+b)(cx+d). The result is acx² + (ad+bc)x + bd.

FOIL Method

(ax+b)(cx+d) = acx² + (ad+bc)x + bd

What does FOIL stand for?

First (multiply the first terms), Outer (multiply the outer terms), Inner (multiply the inner terms), Last (multiply the last terms).

Does FOIL work for trinomials?

No — FOIL is specifically for two binomials. For larger polynomials, use the distributive property or the polynomial expansion calculator.