Expanding Binomials:

When we find the product of two binomials we are required to use distributive property or the FOIL method. This method indicates that we need to multiply the First, Outside, Inside and then the Last terms of the binomials together. After expanding make sure to combine like terms and cancel out zero pairs to provide a completely reduced answer. Here is an example of a two binomial expansion.

Factoring Trinomials:

When factoring trinomials in the form , your first step is to find two integers, r and s, whose sum is b and the product is a c. Then rewrite the trinomial as and then use grouping and distributive property to factor the polynomial. When grouping, it allows you to easily factor each pair and then remove the common factor. Here is an example of a trinomial in a chart demonstrating the process involved.