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Study Guides > Prealgebra

Multiplying Two Binomials Using the Distributive Property

Learning Outcomes

  • Use the distributive property to multiply two binomials
  Just like there are different ways to represent multiplication of numbers, there are several methods that can be used to multiply a binomial times a binomial.

Using the Distributive Property

We will start by using the Distributive Property. Look again at the following example.
.
We distributed the [latex]p[/latex] to get [latex]x\color{red}{p}+3\color{red}{p}[/latex]
What if we have [latex]\left(x+7\right)[/latex] instead of [latex]p[/latex] ? . .
Distribute [latex]\left(x+7\right)[/latex] . .
Distribute again. [latex]{x}^{2}+7x+3x+21[/latex]
Combine like terms. [latex]{x}^{2}+10x+21[/latex]
Notice that before combining like terms, we had four terms. We multiplied the two terms of the first binomial by the two terms of the second binomial—four multiplications. Be careful to distinguish between a sum and a product. [latex-display]\begin{array}{cccc}\hfill \mathbf{\text{Sum}}\hfill & & & \hfill \mathbf{\text{Product}}\hfill \\ \hfill x+x\hfill & & & \hfill x\cdot x\hfill \\ \hfill 2x\hfill & & & \hfill {x}^{2}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{combine like terms}\hfill & & & \hfill \text{add exponents of like bases}\hfill \end{array}[/latex-display]  

example

Multiply: [latex]\left(x+6\right)\left(x+8\right)[/latex]. Solution
[latex]\left(x+6\right)\left(x+8\right)[/latex]
.
Distribute [latex]\left(x+8\right)[/latex] . [latex]x\color{red}{(x+8)}+6\color{red}{(x+8)}[/latex]
Distribute again. [latex]{x}^{2}+8x+6x+48[/latex]
Simplify. [latex]{x}^{2}+14x+48[/latex]
 

try it

[ohm_question]146207[/ohm_question]
  Now we'll see how to multiply binomials where the variable has a coefficient.

example

Multiply: [latex]\left(2x+9\right)\left(3x+4\right)[/latex].

Answer: Solution

[latex]\left(2x+9\right)\left(3x+4\right)[/latex]
Distribute. [latex]\left(3x+4\right)[/latex] [latex]2x\color{red}{(3x+4)}+9\color{red}{(3x+4)}[/latex]
Distribute again. [latex]6{x}^{2}+8x+27x+36[/latex]
Simplify. [latex]6{x}^{2}+35x+36[/latex]

 

try it

[ohm_question]146208[/ohm_question]
  In the previous examples, the binomials were sums. When there are differences, we pay special attention to make sure the signs of the product are correct.  

example

Multiply: [latex]\left(4y+3\right)\left(6y - 5\right)[/latex].

Answer: Solution

[latex]\left(4y+3\right)\left(6y - 5\right)[/latex]
Distribute. [latex]4y\color{red}{(6y-5)}+3\color{red}{(6y-5)}[/latex]
Distribute again. [latex]24{y}^{2}-20y+18y - 15[/latex]
Simplify. [latex]24{y}^{2}-2y - 15[/latex]

 

try it

[ohm_question]146209[/ohm_question]
  Up to this point, the product of two binomials has been a trinomial. This is not always the case.  

example

Multiply: [latex]\left(x+2\right)\left(x-y\right)[/latex].

Answer: Solution

[latex](x+2)(x-y)[/latex]
Distribute. [latex]x\color{red}{(x-y)}+2\color{red}{(x-y)}[/latex]
Distribute again. [latex]x^2-xy+2x-2y[/latex]
Simplify. There are no like terms to combine.

 

try it

[ohm_question]146210[/ohm_question]
To see another example of how to visualize multiplying two binomials, watch the following video. We use an area model as well as repeated distribution to multiply two binomials. https://youtu.be/u4Hgl0BrUlo

Licenses & Attributions

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  • Question ID 146210, 146209, 146208, 146207. Authored by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.

CC licensed content, Shared previously

  • Multiply Binomials Using An Area Model and Using Repeated Distribution. Authored by: James Sousa (mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.

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