Concept

Multiplying a Binomial by a Binomial Using the Distributive Property

To multiply a binomial by a binomial, apply the Distributive Property twice in sequence. The strategy is to treat the entire second binomial as a single unit — just as a monomial would be treated — and distribute it to each term of the first binomial. This first distribution creates two separate products, each consisting of a monomial multiplied by the second binomial. A second round of distribution is then applied within each of those products to fully expand the expression.

Because each binomial contains two terms, the double distribution produces 2×2=42 \times 2 = 4 individual products before any simplification. The final step is to identify and combine any like terms among the four products.

This technique is a natural extension of multiplying a polynomial by a monomial: instead of distributing a single monomial factor, an entire binomial is distributed, and each resulting monomial-times-binomial product is then expanded through a second application of the Distributive Property.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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