I was always taught to use FOIL for multiplying 2 bi-nomials(sp?)
you multipy the F(irst) part of each parenthese then the outer most 2, followed by the inner most two, and finally the second one in each parenthese.
ie...
(1+2)*(3+4)=1*3 + 1*4 + 2*3 + 2*4
