Using FOIL, which statement correctly identifies the First terms when expanding (x+y)(m+n)?

Using FOIL, which statement correctly identifies the First terms when expanding (x+y)(m+n)?

• A. Outside terms: y*n
• B. Inside terms: x*n
• C. First terms: x*m
• D. Last terms: y*m

Answer: (C)

First terms come from multiplying the first terms of each binomial. In (x+y)(m+n), the first terms are x and m, so their product is x*m. That’s why this option is correct. The outside terms would be x*n, the inner terms would be y*m, and the last terms would be y*n, which is why the other descriptions don’t match the First terms.

First terms come from multiplying the first terms of each binomial. In (x+y)(m+n), the first terms are x and m, so their product is xm. That’s why this option is correct. The outside terms would be xn, the inner terms would be ym, and the last terms would be yn, which is why the other descriptions don’t match the First terms.