Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Binomials
A binomial is a polynomial that consists of exactly two terms, which can be constants, variables, or a combination of both. In the expression (x+5)(x+8), both (x+5) and (x+8) are binomials. Understanding binomials is essential for applying multiplication methods like FOIL.
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FOIL Method
The FOIL method is a technique used to multiply two binomials. FOIL stands for First, Outside, Inside, Last, referring to the order in which you multiply the terms: the first terms of each binomial, the outer terms, the inner terms, and the last terms. This systematic approach helps ensure that all combinations of terms are accounted for in the product.
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Distributive Property
The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, allowing you to multiply a single term by each term in a binomial. This property is foundational in algebra and is implicitly used in the FOIL method, as it involves distributing each term of the first binomial across the second binomial to find the final product.
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