Calculate Rectangle Area with Dimensions (x+5) and (y+2)

FOIL stands for First, Outer, Inner, Last. For $(x+5)(y+2)$:

• First: x × y = xy
• Outer: x × 2 = 2x
• Inner: 5 × y = 5y
• Last: 5 × 2 = 10

Then add all four terms: xy + 2x + 5y + 10

Because that would only give you some of the terms! When you have $(x+5)(y+2)$, each term in the first parentheses must multiply each term in the second parentheses. Separating them misses the cross-multiplication terms.

Count your terms! When multiplying two binomials (expressions with 2 terms each), you should get exactly 4 terms before combining like terms. If you have fewer than 4 terms, you missed something.

Absolutely! The area formula A = length × width works for any rectangle, whether the dimensions are numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions. Just multiply the expressions using FOIL or distribution.

Write out each multiplication step carefully! For $(x+5)(y+2)$, all signs are positive, so all your products will be positive. Take your time with each step: x×y, x×2, 5×y, 5×2.