PrepWisePrepWiseExpanding Brackets
AlgebraKey Facts

The Key Rule

Part of Expanding Brackets — GCSE Mathematics

This key facts covers The Key Rule 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 2 of 12 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 12

Practice

14 questions

Recall

3 flashcards

The Key Rule

Multiply EVERYTHING inside the bracket by the term outside

a(b + c) = ab + ac

✓ Multiply the first term inside
✓ Multiply the second term inside
⚠️ Watch the signs! Negative × Negative = Positive

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.

What Does "Expand" Mean?Method: Expand Using "Arrows"Worked Example 1: Basic ExpansionWorked Example 2: With Subtraction

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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What Does "Expand" Mean?

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Method: Expand Using "Arrows"