How do I expand brackets by multiplication?

It's worth remembering FOIL: First, Outside, Inside, Last.Say we have the following:(a+b)(c+d), where a,b,c and d are positive integers.Using FOIL, we have: (First) + (Outside) + (Inside) + (Last)  ac  +   ad    +  bc   +  bdExamples:Expand the following brackets:1. (2x+3)(4x+6) = (F) 8x(O) 12x + (I) 12x + (L) 18             = 8x+ 24x + 182. (6x-1)(2x2+4) = (6x)(2x2) + 4(6x) + (-1)(2x2) + (-1)(4)             = 12x+ 24x - 2x- 43. (x-1)(2x+4)(3x-6) (Note: For this example, first expand the first two brackets, then expand the result with the third bracket, as follows):= (2x2+2x-4)(3x-6)  (To expand this, multiply the first term in the 1st bracket by the 1st term and 2nd term in the 2nd, the 2nd term in the 1st by the 1st and 2nd term in the 2nd bracket, the 3rd term in the 1st bracket by the 1st and 2nd terms in the 2nd bracket, as follows):= 6x- 12x+ 6x- 12x - 12x + 24= 6x- 6x- 24x + 24                               

LD
Answered by Liam D. Maths tutor

7084 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Show that (x+1)(x+2)(x+3) can be written as ax^3+bx^2+cx+d


ABC is a right-angled triangle (B being the right angle). Is AB=12 and BC=9, What is Angle A? (3.s.f.)


There are 11 pens in a box. 8 are black and 3 are red. Two pens are taken out at random without replacement. Work out the probability that the two pens are the same colour.


Solve these simultaneous equations and find the values of x and y. Equation 1: 2x + y = 7 Equation 2: 2x - y - 4 = 4 – x


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning