Key learning points

1. The distributive law can be used to find the product of two binomials.
2. An area model can be used to explore the underlying structure.
3. Both of the terms in one bracket must be multiplied by both terms in the second.

Keywords

• Binomial - A binomial is an algebraic expression representing the sum or difference of exactly 2 unlike terms.

• Partial product - Any of the multiplication results that lead up to an overall multiplication result.

Common misconception