What is the FOIL result of (x + 4)(x + 2)?

What is the FOIL result of (x + 4)(x + 2)?

• A. x^2 + 6x + 8
• B. x^2 + 2x + 8
• C. x^2 + 8x + 6
• D. 2x^2 + 6x + 8

Answer: (A)

FOIL uses the distributive property to multiply two binomials by multiplying each pair of terms and then combining like terms. First, x times x gives x^2. Outer, x times 2 gives 2x. Inner, 4 times x gives 4x. Last, 4 times 2 gives 8. Add them up: x^2 + 2x + 4x + 8 = x^2 + 6x + 8. The middle terms combine to 6x because 2x and 4x add together. If that middle part is mishandled, you’d miss or miscount those x terms, or even introduce an extra x^2, but the correct expansion keeps x^2, sums to 6x, and ends with +8.

FOIL uses the distributive property to multiply two binomials by multiplying each pair of terms and then combining like terms.

First, x times x gives x^2.

Outer, x times 2 gives 2x.

Inner, 4 times x gives 4x.

Last, 4 times 2 gives 8.

Add them up: x^2 + 2x + 4x + 8 = x^2 + 6x + 8.

The middle terms combine to 6x because 2x and 4x add together. If that middle part is mishandled, you’d miss or miscount those x terms, or even introduce an extra x^2, but the correct expansion keeps x^2, sums to 6x, and ends with +8.