Math with Bad DrawingsCartoon Archive

Evil Mathematicians: FOIL

February 1, 2017

A villain prepares to unleash the toxic meme of FOIL on the world, so mnemonics can replace understanding.

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Free for classrooms, worksheets, slides and other non-commercial use under CC BY-NC 4.0, with credit to Ben Orlin.

Cartoon by Ben Orlin, Math with Bad Drawings. https://cartoons.mathwithbaddrawings.com/2017-02-01-history-s-most-evil-mathematicians--evil-mathematicians-foil/ (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Transcript

Villain: "We are almost ready to release the contagious and toxic meme of 'FOIL' into the world." Postdoc: "But master… that silly mnemonic may replace actual understanding!" Villain: "Precisely, my young postdoc. Precisely."

Topics
Algebra › Polynomials › FOIL
Level
Middle SchoolHigh SchoolCollege
Themes
For Teachers (Classroom Satire)Common MistakesSelf-ReferenceLiterature & Myth