Expanding Brackets
(KS3, Year 7)
How to Expand Brackets
Expanding brackets is easy. Multiply each term inside the brackets with the term outside of the bracket.Question
Expand the brackets below.Step-by-Step:
1
Multiply the first term inside the brackets (x) with the term outside the brackets (2).
2 × x = 2x
2x
2
Multiply the second term inside the brackets (1) with the term outside the brackets (2), and add to the previous result.
2 × 1 = 2
2x + 2
Answer:
Expanding 2(x + 1) gives 2x + 2.A Formula to Expand Brackets
The formula below shows how to expand brackets: a, b and c stand in for any number or term.Multiplication Tips
-
Multiplying a number with a variable
2 × x = 2x
5 × x = 5x
-
Multiplying a number with a variable with a coefficient
2 × 2x = 4x
3 × 5x = 15x
-
Multiplying a variable with a variable
x × y = xy
x × x = x2
Beware
Be Careful with Signs
Each term in the brackets will have a sign.- positive terms have a + sign in front of them, or no sign if it is the first term.
- negative terms have a − sign in front of them.
Worksheet
This test is printable and sendable