Math

Box Method Calculator

Multiply (ax + b)(cx + d) using the box (area) method.

Calculated Output

x² term 2

x term 11

constant 12

Formula: Fill a 2×2 box with each product, then add

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Values used:

2. a = 2

3. b = 3

4. c = 1

5. d = 4

7. x² term = 2

8. x term = 11

9. constant = 12

Did this calculator solve your problem today?

The math behind it

Each cell of the 2×2 box holds the product of a row and column term: ac, ad, bc, bd. Combine like terms to get the quadratic.

(2x + 3)(x + 4): box gives 2x², 8x, 3x, 12 → 2x² + 11x + 12.

How is this different from FOIL?

It's the same multiplication, just laid out visually as areas in a grid.