To multiply binomials, use the FOIL method. FOIL stands for First, Outside, Inside, Last and refers to the position of each term in the parentheses:

(y - 1)(y + 3)
(y x y) + (y x 3) + (-1 x y) + (-1 x 3)
y² + 3y - y - 3
y² + 2y - 3

A monomial contains one term, a binomial contains two terms, and a polynomial contains more than two terms.

To multiply monomials, multiply the coefficients (the numbers that come before the variables) of each term, add the exponents of like variables, and multiply the different variables together.

(4a)(8ab) - (8a²)(3b)
(4 x 8)(a x a x b) - (8 x 3)(a² x b)
(32)(a¹⁺¹ x b) - (24)(a²b)
32a²b - 24a²b
8a²b

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients (the numbers that come before the variables) of terms that have the same variable raised to the same exponent.

5a² - 6a² = -1a²

The coordinate grid is composed of a horizontal x-axis and a vertical y-axis. The center of the grid, where the x-axis and y-axis meet, is called the origin.