I created this set of notes for my Algebra 2 students over multiplying polynomials using the box method. In later years, I turned it into a multiplying polynomials using the box method foldable.
I’ve been impatiently waiting since August to introduce my Algebra 2 students to the box method.
I used the box method last year with my Algebra 2 students to multiply and divide polynomials. Some of them are taking pre-calculus this year, and they came back to tell me that they had taught the method to some of their classmates!
As soon as I heard how excited they were about having done that, it just made me really excited to teach this year’s group of students the magic that is the BOX.
I typed out these notes with steps for the box method for multiplying polynomials.
This is a first. Usually, I just show my students how to do it. But, I do recognize the importance of them having something to look back on if they forget the process.

This was a first attempt at writing out the steps. I’m sure these will morph and grow over the years like the rest of my notes do!
Steps for Using the Box Method for Multiplying Polynomials
- Draw your box. The height of the box should be one more than the degree of the first polynomial. The length of the box should be one more than the degree of the second polynomial.
- Write the polynomials you are multiplying on the outside edges of the box. Include zeros if necessary. For example, x^2 – 1 should be x^2 + 0x – 1.
- Multiply to get each box’s value.
- Like terms can be found on the diagonals of your box. Combine them.
- Write your answer in Standard Form.
Then, we did some practice problems together.
I had them note the degree of each polynomial to see if it has any 0 terms in it that need to be taken into account.
At the multiplying stage, you can leave out the zeros, and everything will work just fine. But, the like terms won’t always be on the diagonals.
Plus, having the zeros is essential when using the box method to divide. So, I want my students to get in the habit of including the zeros now.
I think the moment when my students really started buying into this method was when we color-coded the diagonals and saw the like terms. If all the terms in a diagonal are not like terms, we know we made a mistake somewhere!
One student raised his hand to say he liked this method a lot better than the way a previous teacher taught him with drawing arrows all over the place.
That’s the way I was taught, and it worked just fine for me. But I’ve seen students forget to distribute a term to every other term so many times.
Drawing the boxes (if drawn correctly) shows students just how many times they have to multiply.
They often get frustrated trying to figure out where the zero rows/columns go. But, they definitely get a sense of satisfaction when they get to fill in that whole row or column with zeros!
Here’s what the problems end up looking like when we work them out on the SMART Board. My boxes were a bit wonky, and it definitely showed when I used the highlighter tool…
Multiplying Polynomials Using the Box Method Foldable
In future years, I turned this into a multiplying polynomials using the box method foldable.
I typed eight different multiplying polynomials practice problems inside the foldable.
I also pre-drew in the box diagrams for each problem. This led to much more organized work from my students!
Free Download of Multiplying Polynomials Using the Box Method Foldable
Multiplying Polynomials Using the Box Method Foldable (PDF) (1325 downloads)
Multiplying Polynomials Using the Box Method Foldable (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (761 downloads)
More Activities for Teaching Polynomials
- X Puzzles Factoring Review Game
- Quadratic Area Puzzles
- Shared Factors – A Quadratics Puzzle
- Naming Polynomials Poster
- “Polly”nomial
- Naming Polynomials Speed Dating Activity
- Dividing Polynomials Using the Box Method Puzzles
- Area Model Puzzles from Christie Bradshaw
- Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Graphic Organizer
- Writing Polynomials in Standard Form Foldable
- Factoring Quadratics Foldable
- Multiplying Polynomials Foldable
- Naming Polynomials Practice Sheet
- Polynomial or Not Color Coding Activity
- Polynomial Frayer Model Template
- Roots Solutions Zeros X-Intercepts Posters
- Multiplying Polynomials Egg Hunt Activity
- Human Polynomials Activity
- Introducing Algebra Tiles to Students
- Building and Naming Polynomials Activity
- Factoring Trinomials with GCFs Question Stack Activity
- Factoring Polynomials Using the Box Method Directions
- Looking for Patterns in Factoring Quadratics
- Factoring Quadratics Question Stack Activity
- Dividing Polynomials Using the Box Method Activity
- Dividing Polynomials Using the Box Method Foldable
- Multiplying Polynomials Using the Box Method Foldable
- Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Notes
- Parts of a Polynomial Practice Book
- Standard Form of a Polynomial Interactive Notebook Page
- Factoring out the GCF of a Polynomial Foldable
- Factoring vs Distributing Card Sort Activity
- Factoring Quadratics Using the Box Method Foldable
- Naming Polynomials Graphic Organizer
- Factoring Quadratics Graphic Organizers
- Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Activity
Unknown
Saturday 23rd of February 2019
I just found you blog, and it is helping me so much. I have purchased guided notes, but yours make is look so simple. I really like the idea of the box method versus the arrows. Thanks!
Smith
Friday 11th of August 2017
GOOD POST
Sarah Carter (@mathequalslove)
Wednesday 6th of September 2017
Thanks :)
Karen Wainright
Friday 1st of January 2016
Looking forward to using this method to teach multiplying polynomials. I was taught with the FOIL method and sometimes those arrows just get confusing. I think this will really help. Thanks.
Sarah Carter (@mathequalslove)
Tuesday 5th of January 2016
Please let me know how it goes!
Adina
Wednesday 14th of October 2015
There's an article in the March 2006 edition of The Mathematics Teacher explaining the method. I'm not sure if the author devised this method, but thank you very much to whoever did! I plan on teaching it to my Algebra 1 class this year! (Here's a link to the article, but unless you have access to the JSTOR database, you have to pay to download it. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27972037 )
Sarah Carter (@mathequalslove)
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
Thanks Adina!
Unknown
Tuesday 13th of October 2015
I LOVE the box method. I was reviewing polynomials with some pre-calc students last year, and they taught it to me. I definitely learned the 'draw a bunch of arrows way', which worked for me but was not intuitive for my Alg 1 students. It's perfect for extending beyond 'FOIL'. I'm also intrigued by the comments on completing the square, which has been pushed to the side for my freshmen in the past. I should have more time at the end of the year this year, so I'm looking forward to a new approach to teaching solving quadratics.
Sarah Carter (@mathequalslove)
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
Love when students teach us things!