Title Page:

Lecture: Multiplying Polynomials

Created by Rana Masrourrod
Adapted by:
• www.hasdk12.org/cms/lib3/PA01001366/Centricity/Domain/769/FOIL.ppt
• Holliday, Berchie, et al. California Algebra 1: Concepts, Skills, and Problem
Solving. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2008.

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The lecture objective is also a breakdown of what this PowerPoint covers. This
PowerPoint will breakdown multiplying two polynomials using three different
methods: the distributive property, the FOIL method, and the box method.

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Educational Hook: This slide raises the question of, how can we write an equation for
the area of a shape. We have previously learned how to find the area of geometric
shapes, but sometimes the length of the shape is given by expressions, rather than
numerical values.

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The distributive property for multiplying two polynomials is similar to the basic
distributive property taught in the beginning of this Algebra course. The property for
multiplying two polynomials is as follows: when given the expression (a + b) (c + d),
simply distribute the variables from the first polynomial to the second polynomial.
Distribute the variable (a) to the polynomial (c + d) and then distribute the variable
(b) to the polynomial (c + d).
When multiplying the two polynomials, the distributive property will be used twice.

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When multiplying the expression (7x + 4) (x + 9), distribute the variable (7x) to the
polynomial (x + 9) and then distribute the variable (+ 4) to the polynomial (x + 9). This
will give two separate polynomials, which each must use the distributive property
again.
Using the distributive property again, we distribute the variable (7x) to the variable
(x) and to the variable (+ 9) then distribute the variable (+ 4) to the variable (x) and to
the variable (+ 9).
Lastly, add all the variables together, and combine like terms.

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When multiplying the expression (x + 8) (3x - 6), distribute the variable (x) to the
polynomial (3x - 6) and then distribute the variable (+ 8) to the polynomial (3x - 6).
This will give two separate polynomials, which each must use the distributive
property again.
Using the distributive property again, we distribute the variable (x) to the variable
(3x) and to the variable (- 6) then distribute the variable (+ 8) to the variable (3x) and
to the variable (- 6).
Lastly, add all the variables together, and combine like terms.

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The FOIL method has four steps:
First: Multiply the first two terms in each of the binomials ( a x c )
Outer: Multiply the two most outer terms between the two binomials ( a x d )
Inner: Multiply the two most inner terms between the two binomials ( b x c )
Last: Multiply the last two terms in each of the binomial together ( b x d )

Then add all the new terms together : ( a x c ) + ( a x d ) + ( b x c ) + ( b x d )

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This video breaks down the FOIL Method with the example of (x + 2) times (3x - 7)

First: Multiply the first two terms in each of the binomials (x times 3x)
Outer: Multiply the two most outer terms between the two binomials (x times - 7)
Inner: Multiply the two most inner terms between the two binomials ( 2 times 3x)
Last: Multiply the last two terms in each of the binomial together (2 times - 7)

Then add all the new terms together : (3x to the power of 2) + (- 7x) + ( 6x ) + ( - 14 )
= (3x to the power of 2) - 7x - 14

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This is an example of the FOIL Method broken down step by step.

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First: Multiply the first two terms in each of the binomials (2y times 7y) = 14y to the
power of 2

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Outer: Multiply the two most outer terms between the two binomials (2y times - 6) =
(- 12y)

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Inner: Multiply the two most inner terms between the two binomials (5 times 7y) =
35y

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Last: Multiply the last two terms in each of the binomial together (5 times – 6) = (-
30)

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Combine like terms : (14y to the power of 2) + (- 12y) + ( 35y ) + ( - 30 ) = (14y to the
power of 2) + 23y - 30

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First: Multiply the first two terms in each of the binomials ( 4a x 5a ) = 20a to the
power of 2
Outer: Multiply the two most outer terms between the two binomials ( 4a x 2 ) = 8a
Inner: Multiply the two most inner terms between the two binomials ( -5 x 5a ) = -25a
Last: Multiply the last two terms in each of the binomial together ( -5 x 2 ) = - 10

Then add all the new terms together : ( 20a to the power of 2 ) + ( 8a ) + ( - 25a ) + ( -
10 ) = (20a to the power of 2) - 17a - 10

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The Box Method can be used when multiplying any type of polynomials. The box is
segmented into the same number of variables as in each polynomial. If there is three
variables in one polynomial and two variables in another polynomial, then there will
be three rows and two columns in the box. All the variables are then added together.

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These examples are for you to try on your own as a review from the lecture.
The answer for question 1 is (16g^4) - (18g^3) (68g^2) + 108g + 21
The answer for question 2 is (6k^3) + (8k^2) – 30k
The answer for question 3 is (-9m^4) – (64m^3) – (75m) + 22

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A = (1/2) h (b1 + b2)
h = x+2
b1= 3x – 7
b2 = 2x + 1
A = (1/2) (x+2)[(3x – 7)(2x+1)] = (1/2) (x+2) (5x-6)
Use the distributive property, the FOIL method, or the box method to solve for A
A = (25)(x^2) + 2x -6

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