Expert: Bobby Soltani - 11/25/2005

Question
This problem confuse me. I can't figure out how to apply the FOIL method and work it through. this is our example problem and I can't figutre it out to work the other 10 problems. Please take me through the process. The numbers inside the parenthesis are fractions.

[3b + (2/3)][6b - (1/2)]

Answer
Hi,

F - multiply the first two terms together
O - multiply the outer two terms together
I - multiply the inner two terms together
L - multiply the last two terms together

Sum up all the terms.

[3b + (2/3)][6b - (1/2)]

F + O + I + L

(3b)(6b) + (3b)(-1/2) + (2/3)(6b) + (2/3)(-1/2)

18b^2 - (3/2)b + 4b - 1/3

the middle two terms can be combine since they only contain the variable b.

18b^2 + (5/2)b - 1/3

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby