A trinomial, a polynomial with three terms, can be distributed over another expression. Each term in the first factor is distributed separately over the second factor, and then the entire expression is simplified, combining anything that can be combined.
Example: Simplify the expression,
Break the trinomial into its three terms x, y, and 2, and distribute each term of the trinomial over the other terms.
Do the multiplication.
Simplify and combine any like terms.
