FOIL expands two binomials without a grid.
About this calculator
FOIL expands two binomials without a grid. For (2x + 3)(x + 4): First gives 2x², Outer 8x, Inner 3x, Last 12 — combined as 2x² + 11x + 12.
Enter coefficients a, b, c, d for (ax + b)(cx + d). The calculator shows each FOIL product and the collected quadratic.
Use it for algebra homework before factoring back. For solving quadratics after expansion try the [[quadratic]] calculator. For cubics see the [[cubic-equation]] calculator. For general fractions use the [[fraction]] calculator.
Common uses
- Expand binomial products step by step
- Verify FOIL homework before factoring
- Build quadratics from linear factors
- Check sign errors in outer and inner terms
Frequently asked questions
What is (2x + 3)(x + 4) using FOIL?
First 2x², Outer 8x, Inner 3x, Last 12 → 2x² + 11x + 12.
Does FOIL work for (x + 3)²?
Yes — treat it as (x + 3)(x + 3). First x², Outer 3x, Inner 3x, Last 9 → x² + 6x + 9.
What if a or c is zero?
The x² term vanishes when ac = 0. You may get a linear result instead of a quadratic.
Is FOIL the same as the distributive property?
FOIL is the distributive property applied twice — each term in the first binomial multiplies the entire second binomial.