INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A problem involving a two binomials will involve two polynomials, each with two terms that are separated by either a plus sign or a minus sign. A polynomial problem involving two binomials will look something like: (ax + by) * (cx + dy) Example: (2x + 3y)(4x + 5y) FOIL is an acronym used to explain how terms are distributed. Distribute first terms, outside terms, inside terms, and last terms. After this, your rewritten polynomial problem will effectively look like: (ax)(cx) + (ax)(dy) + (by)(cx) + (by)(dy) Example: (2x + 3y)(4x + 5y) = (2x)(4x) + (2x)(5y) + (3y)(4x) + (3y)(5y) The constants refer to the numerical digits in the problem. These are multiplied as they usually would be according to the standard times table. In other words, during this part of the problem, you are multiplying a, b, c, and d together. Example: (2x)(4x) + (2x)(5y) + (3y)(4x) + (3y)(5y) = 8(x)(x) + 10(x)(y) + 12(y)(x) + 15(y)(y) The variables refer to the letters in the equation. When you multiply these variables, different variables will simply be combined together. When you multiply a variable by a like variable, though, you raise that variable by another power. In other words, you are multiplying the the x and y portions of the equation. Example: 8(x)(x) + 10(x)(y) + 12(y)(x) + 15(y)(y) = 8x^2 + 10xy + 12xy + 15y^2 This type of problem is complex enough to potentially produce like terms, meaning two or more end terms that share the same ending variable. If this happens, you should add or subtract the like terms as needed to determine your final answer. The result will look something like: acx^2 + adxy + bcxy + bdy^2 = acx^2 + abcdxy + bdy^2 Example: 8x^2 + 22xy + 15y^2

SUMMARY: Examine the problem. Use FOIL to distribute the terms appropriately. Multiply the constants. Multiply the variables. Combine any like terms and write your final answer.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: This will make the shuttle spin and fall in an unpredictable direction. To slice your net shot, start the forward motion as you normally would, and then move the racket inward as you slice the racket perpendicular to the center of the birdie. Your opponent will be expecting you to hit the birdie directly forward, while it will actually spin cross court. To do this, slice the racket, or move it perpendicularly over the center of the shuttle when it's in the air. This will make the shuttle lose much of its momentum and quickly fall on the opponent's side near the net. Smashing is when you hit the shuttle with all of your strength at the top of its arc. Point your free hand at the shuttle to keep track of its path, and then swing the racket over your head, hitting the center of the birdie and smashing it down into the opponent's court. This is similar to serving in tennis. When you're smashing the shuttle, aim is just as important as strength. Don't just blindly hit the shuttle as hard as you can -- you should try to aim it either as far away from your opponent as possible or right at your opponent's body so he will be caught off guard. Once you've mastered the standard smash, you can practice jumping up as you smash the shuttle. This will give you even more momentum and will make the shuttle fall into your opponent's court even faster. Just jump up a foot or two, aiming your chest and body in the direction that you want the shuttle to go, and smash it at the center of its arc. The smash should be used at a time when the shuttle is high in the air and you have plenty of time to approach -- it should end the point in your favor. If you smash the shuttle at every opportunity, you will tire your arms and will risk smashing it into the net at inopportune moments. A beginning player is just happy when he hits the shuttle over the net. An advanced player understands that a good game of badminton is like a game of chess -- you should always position your shot wisely so that you move your opponent to the exact place where you want him to be so you can hit the following shot. Always plan your next move and always think one step ahead of your opponent.

SUMMARY:
Slice your net shots. Slice your drop shots. Smash the shuttle. Jump before you smash the shuttle. Don't smash the shuttle every time. Always plan your next move.