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AlgebraDeep Dive

Alternative: The Grid Method

Part of Expanding Brackets — GCSE Mathematics

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 12 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 10 of 12

Practice

14 questions

Recall

3 flashcards

Alternative: The Grid Method

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

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Expanding Brackets. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

The FOIL MethodWorked Example: Double Brackets - Both PositiveWhat Does "Expand" Mean?The Key Rule

Practice Questions for Expanding Brackets

Which expression is equivalent to 3(x + 2)?

  • A. 3x + 2
  • B. x + 6
  • C. 3x + 6
  • D. 3x + 5
1 markfoundation

Expand -2(3x - 5)

2 marksfoundation

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

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The FOIL Method

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Worked Example: Double Brackets - Both Positive