PSAT Math : How to use FOIL with Exponents

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Use Foil With Exponents

If \(\displaystyle (x-3)^2=25\), which of the following could be the value of \(\displaystyle x\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -5\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle -2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -2\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle (x-3)^2=25\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x-3=\pm 5\)

\(\displaystyle x-3=5\ \text{or}\ x-3=-5\)

Add 3 to both sides of each equation.

\(\displaystyle x=5+3\ \text{or}\ x=-5+3\)

\(\displaystyle x=8\ \text{or}\ x=-2\)

Example Question #2 : How To Use Foil With Exponents

Simplify:

\(\displaystyle \left ( xyz \right )^{3}+x^{2}y+\left ( xy \right )^{0}+\left ( xy^{\frac{1}{2}} \right )^{2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x^{5}y^{3}z\)

\(\displaystyle x^{3}y^{3}z^{3}+x^{2}y+1\)

\(\displaystyle x^{3}y^{3}z^{3}+x^{2}y\)

\(\displaystyle x^{3}y^{3}z^{3}+2x^{2}y+1\)

\(\displaystyle x^{3}y^{3}z^{3}+2x^{2}y\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x^{3}y^{3}z^{3}+2x^{2}y+1\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \left ( xyz \right )^{3}+x^{2}y+\left ( xy \right )^{0}+\left ( xy^{\frac{1}{2}} \right )^{2}\)

= x3y3z3 + x2y + x0y0 + x2y

x3y3z3 + x2y + 1 + x2y

x3y3z3 + 2x2y + 1

Example Question #1211 : Psat Mathematics

\(\displaystyle (6x^4+2x^2)(3x^4+6x^2)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 18x^8+42x^6+12x^4\)

\(\displaystyle 18x^{16}+42x^8+12x^4\)

\(\displaystyle 18x^8+12x^4\)

\(\displaystyle 42x^8\)

\(\displaystyle 18x^8+36x^6+12x^4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 18x^8+42x^6+12x^4\)

Explanation:

Use the FOIL method to find the product.  Remember to add the exponents when multiplying.

First: \(\displaystyle 6x^4\cdot3x^4 = 18x^8\)

Outside: \(\displaystyle 6x^4\cdot6x^2=36x^6\)

Inside: \(\displaystyle 2x^2\cdot 3x^4=6x^6\)

Last: \(\displaystyle 2x^2\cdot6x^2=12x^4\)

Add all the terms:

\(\displaystyle 18x^8+36x^6+6x^6+12x^4\)

\(\displaystyle 18x^8+42x^6+12x^4\)

Example Question #3 : How To Use Foil With Exponents

Square the binomial.

\(\displaystyle (x^{2}y^{4}+xy^{6})^{2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x^4y^{16}+2x^2y^{24}+xy^{36}\)

\(\displaystyle x^4y^8+2x^3y^{10}+x^2y^{12}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{4}y^{8}+x^{2}y^{12}\)

\(\displaystyle 2x^{8}y^{20}\)

\(\displaystyle x^8y^8+x^2y^{12}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x^4y^8+2x^3y^{10}+x^2y^{12}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle (x^{2}y^{4}+xy^{6})^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle (x^{2}y^{4}+xy^{6})(x^{2}y^{4}+xy^{6})\)

We will need to FOIL.

First: \(\displaystyle x^2y^4*x^2y^4=x^4y^8\)

Inside: \(\displaystyle xy^6*x^2y^4=x^3y^{10}\)

Outside: \(\displaystyle x^2y^4*xy^6=x^3y^{10}\)

Last: \(\displaystyle xy^6*xy^6=x^2y^{12}\)

Sum all of the terms and simplify.

\(\displaystyle x^4y^8+x^3y^{10}+x^3y^{10}+x^2y^{12}\)

\(\displaystyle x^4y^8+2x^3y^{10}+x^2y^{12}\)

Example Question #5 : How To Use Foil With Exponents

Which of the following is equivalent to 4c(3d)– 8c3d + 2(cd)4?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

2(54d– 4c+ 2c* d3)

2cd(54d2 – 4c+ c* d3)

cd(54c * d– 4c+ c* d2)

Correct answer:

2cd(54d2 – 4c+ c* d3)

Explanation:

First calculate each section to yield 4c(27d3) – 8c3d + 2c4d= 108cd– 8c3d + 2c4d4. Now let's factor out the greatest common factor of the three terms, 2cd, in order to get:  2cd(54d– 4c+ c3d3).

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