This introduction covers What Does "Expand" Mean? 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 1 of 13 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
What Does "Expand" Mean?
Expanding is the opposite of factorising - you're "unpacking" the bracket. Think of 3(x + 2) like having 3 bags, each containing an x and a 2. To find the total, you multiply each item by 3: that's 3x and 6. Boom - expanded!
Practice questions for Expanding Brackets
Which expression is equivalent to 3(x + 2)?
Expand -2(3x - 5)
Quick recall flashcards
Sign Rules
Positive × Positive = Positive | Negative × Negative = Positive | Different signs = Negative
Expansion Rule
a(b + c) = ab + ac - multiply EVERY term inside by the term outside