1
Draw a 2×2 grid
2
Write the first bracket terms across the top
3
Write the second bracket terms down the side
4
Multiply to fill each cell
5
Add all four cells and simplify
This deep dive covers Alternative: The Grid Method within Expanding Brackets for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Expanding Brackets in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 3 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 10 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Expanding Brackets
Which expression is equivalent to 3(x + 2)?
Expand -2(3x - 5)
Quick recall flashcards
Expansion Rule
a(b + c) = ab + ac - multiply EVERY term inside by the term outside
Sign Rules
Positive × Positive = Positive | Negative × Negative = Positive | Different signs = Negative