Expanding & Simplifying Single Brackets (Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (Modular))
Revision Note
Written by: Mark Curtis
Reviewed by: Dan Finlay
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Expanding One Bracket
How do I expand a bracket?
The expression 3x (x + 2) means 3x multiplied by the bracket (x + 2)
3x is the term outside the bracket
this is sometimes called a factor
and x + 2 are the terms inside the bracket
Expanding the brackets means multiplying the outside term by each term on the inside
This will remove (get rid of) the brackets
3x (x + 2) expands to which simplifies to
Beware of minus signs
Remember the rules
− × − = +
− × + = −It helps to put brackets around negative terms
Worked Example
(a) Expand .
Multiply the term outside the brackets by both terms inside the brackets
Simplify
(b) Expand .
Multiply the outside the brackets by both terms inside the brackets
Simplify and remember that multiplying two negatives gives a positive
Expand & Simplify
How do I simplify brackets that are added together?
First expand both brackets separately
The first set of brackets expands to which simplifies to
The second set of brackets expands to which simplifies to
So
Then collect like terms
The other two terms are not like terms
So
Worked Example
(a) Expand and simplify .
Expand each set of brackets separately
You can keep negative terms inside brackets
Simplify each term
Collect like terms (the 2x and the -24x)
(b) Expand and simplify .
Expand each set of brackets separately
Be careful: the second set of brackets has a -7 in front, not +7
Simplify each term
Remember that multiplying two negatives gives a positive
Collect like terms
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