Multiplying Binomials – FOIL Visual Math Lesson

This lesson carefully walks students through a comprehensive and visual explanation of multiplication of two binomials using an area model before introducing the mnemonic FOIL. How many times have your students memorized FOIL, but had no idea why it works or what they even doing when using it? This lesson can address that gap.

It uses clear visuals and colour-coding to make the information salient. (It can be printed black and white, and students shade the appropriate areas). It walks students through an area model without variables first before introducing variables and combining like terms.

A sheet of practice problems of increasing levels of difficulty is included for students to reinforce what they have learned.

Answer key included

You will be able to use the language, visuals, and methods from this lesson when teaching the reverse operation (factoring trinomials) at a later date.

Grades to Use With:

This lesson is designed for high school algebra classes (grades 8-11) or special education classes who are teaching some early algebra. It should help visual learners understand what is actually happening when two binomials are being multiplied and why the mnemonic FOIL works.

Standards:

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Understand that polynomials form a system analogous to the integers, namely, they are closed under the operations of addition, subtraction, and multiplication; add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.

If you enjoy this high school math product, check out some others in my store! I especially love to incorporate financial literacy into math class and show how learning about percentages is so important for many everyday calculations!
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