Math related general knowledge question

[Deleted]

Yes, but I wouldn't expect it from most people who aren't solving algebraic equations by hand as part of their job.

[azurely]

Yes, but I teach algebra, so I better know it.

[Deleted]

yes I hate math...FOIL tortured me through highschool

[onetruething]

I cannot wait to call my parents tomorrow and tell them I retained something from pre-algebra!

[Shreddingbetty]

Yes I know it except for I had no idea there was a name associated with it

[mollybrown]

That's the one equation that I DO remember. I could FOIL the hell out of anything.

[M]

Yup, I was (still am) a math geek. What I don't remember is Calculus since I never use it for anything.

[sillygoosegirl]

I know what it refers to, but it is not the method I learned for doing that, and I don't know what the letters stand for... and never bothered to learn them as I already knew how to do it. But with a degree in Physics, I continued to hear FOIL for basically my entire 4 years of college...

[niq]

Aug 6, 2013 22:11:47 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Yes, although we have a different method we use with our students.
I was shocked to learn that FOILing was old school.

What do they do instead?

[mccallister84]

As others have said, I know FOIL but don't tend to teach it. I teach the "box method" which resembles a Punnet Square. I prefer the box because it works for anything while FOIL only works for binomial times binomial.

[sillygoosegirl]

Aug 6, 2013 22:34:14 GMT -5 Stan said:

Aug 6, 2013 22:11:47 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Yes, although we have a different method we use with our students.
I was shocked to learn that FOILing was old school.

So you would not be shocked if c/o 2014 kids did not understand what I was talking about if I asked them what it was?

From what I've seen, it's not a method I would teach. At least not to begin with. It's important to understand WHY in works, and a lot of students only learn the method and then are stuck if they ever have to distribute more terms, and are at a disadvantage for factoring, IMO.

[Marmee]

I have a guess on what it means (first. Outside, inside, last)...is that right? If so it may be remembered from school but I don't actually remember learning this in class. I am pretty sure we never called it Foil method. It's been almost 20yrs since I've taken a math class.

[mie]

Yes, I remember learning this in algebra.

[explorer2001]

I remember FOIL. I also remember getting in trouble for arguing with my math teacher that it was a crappy thing to teach because it was teaching mechanics, not principles. I was told to be quiet and stop confusing other students. It was not a fun semester.

[MrsE]

Aug 6, 2013 22:19:19 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I remembered it stood for "first, outside, inside, last" but couldn't specifically remember what kind of equations it applied to, LOL. I figured that was close enough to vote yes

This! I remember what it stands for but I'm not exactly sure how to use it.

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 22:02:36 GMT -5 azurely said:

Yes, but I teach algebra, so I better know it.

Ditto

But I tend to teach it conceptionally instead of just teaching the trick.

[Deleted]

Aug 7, 2013 1:23:14 GMT -5 explorer2001 said:

I remember FOIL. I also remember getting in trouble for arguing with my math teacher that it was a crappy thing to teach because it was teaching mechanics, not principles. I was told to be quiet and stop confusing other students. It was not a fun semester.

I agree with you completely

[aspentosh]

Yup. But I use math a lot in my field.

[Deleted]

Yes. I learned hat in school though I haven't had to use it since high school.

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 22:19:19 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I remembered it stood for "first, outside, inside, last" but couldn't specifically remember what kind of equations it applied to, LOL. I figured that was close enough to vote yes

this is me too.  

[gibbinator]

I had no idea what the acronym was for until I googled. But yeah, if you had put the equation in front of me, I would have approached it properly prior to googling.

[gt7301b]

Yes, but I'm an engineer and Mr. GT is a math teacher.

[definitelyO]

Had to look it up - I had no idea it was called FOIL and don't remember ever hearing that term at all.

[roseflower]

I just wanted to say the title itself sent me back to traumatic math years.

[njohnson1972]

I never heard of it and I am old. And went to an engineering school for college. I never learned many shortcuts.

[agnes]

I have a horrible memory. FOIL sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't think of what it was. I googled and these pictures made no sense. I didn't remember any of this.



BUT when I saw the pictures like this one, I realized that I would have solved the problem the same way

[aurora]

I know how to do this but have never heard it called by this name. Interesting.

[mccallister84]

Aug 7, 2013 7:54:53 GMT -5 Stan said:

Aug 7, 2013 7:36:05 GMT -5 gibbinator said:

I had no idea what the acronym was for until I googled. But yeah, if you had put the equation in front of me, I would have approached it properly prior to googling.

That's exactly how I am. My day's a math/physics professor, and he doesn't like it for the reasons explorer2001 mentioned. My dad would have liked you in his class explorer!

It's being used as a phone screening question to see if people are mathematically qualified for a job. I think a different short algebra question should be used. All you guys have strengthened my cause!

Can I ask what type of job? My kids are alway asking "when are we ever going to use this?" To be honest that's hard to answer when they're asking about multiplying binomials.

[imojoebunny]

I had never heard it called that, but I have an MBA in finance, and know how to write and solve equations. It is just an acronym for remembering the steps. I just know the steps, never needed an acronym.

[poisonkisses]

Yep, I remember that and I don't have a math related job.