AlgebraDeep Dive

The FOIL Method for Expanding

Part of Quadratic Expressions · GCSE GCSE Mathematics revision

This deep dive covers The FOIL Method for Expanding within Quadratic Expressions for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Quadratic Expressions in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 12 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 3 of 8 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 3 of 8

Practice

12 questions

Recall

22 flashcards

The FOIL Method for Expanding

FOIL stands for: First, Outer, Inner, Last

To expand (x + 3)(x + 5):

  • First: x × x = x²
  • Outer: x × 5 = 5x
  • Inner: 3 × x = 3x
  • Last: 3 × 5 = 15

Combine: x² + 5x + 3x + 15 = x² + 8x + 15

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Quadratic Expressions. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Quadratic Expressions

Expand (x + 5)².

  • A. x² + 25
  • B. x² + 5x + 25
  • C. x² + 10x + 25
  • D. x² + 10x + 5
1 markfoundation

Explain how to recognise whether x² + 12x + 36 is a perfect square trinomial, and write it in factorised form.

2 markshigher

Quick Recall Flashcards

Expand (x + 2)(x + 5)
x² + 5x + 2x + 10 = x² + 7x + 10 (Using FOIL: First + Outer + Inner + Last)
Expand (x + 6)(x - 4)
x² - 4x + 6x - 24 = x² + 2x - 24 (Be careful with negative signs!)

12 questions on Quadratic Expressions — practise free

Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 22 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.

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