Concept

Multiplying a Trinomial by a Binomial

To multiply a trinomial by a binomial, use either the Distributive Property or the Vertical Method. The FOIL technique cannot be applied here because FOIL works only when both factors are binomials (two terms each). With a trinomial (three terms) multiplied by a binomial (two terms), the Distributive Property approach requires distributing each term of the binomial across the entire trinomial, producing 2×3=62 \times 3 = 6 individual products before simplification. After expanding, identify and combine any like terms among those six products to obtain the final result.

The Vertical Method works identically to how it is used for two binomials — write the trinomial on top and the binomial on the bottom, compute a partial product for each term of the bottom polynomial, align like terms in columns, and add the partial products together. Both methods yield the same answer; the choice between them is a matter of personal preference.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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