ACT Preparation / Unit 8 ACT 0703 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Multiplying Polynomials
Captions available
The idea
To multiply polynomials, multiply every term of the first by every term of the second, then combine like terms. For two binomials, FOIL names the four products: first, outer, inner, last.
In practice
(x + 3)(x − 5) = x² − 5x + 3x − 15 = x² − 2x − 15.
Where people slip
FOIL covers two binomials only; longer products need every pairing.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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