Expand the brackets: (x + 5)(x - 3)?

An easy way to remember how to expand double brackets is using FOIL. FOIL stands for First, Outer, Inner, and Last. First indicates that we multiple the first two terms of each bracket (x * x = x2). Outer multiples the outer terms ( x * -3 = -3x). Inner multiplies the inner terms (5 * x = 5x). Finally, Last multiplies the last terms of each bracket (5 * -3 = -15). Our answer is the sum of the individual FOIL results: x2 + (-3x) + 5x + (-15) = x2 + 2x - 15.

DW

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

2.5 x 100


Prove algebraically that the square of any odd number is always also an odd number.


How do I solve simultaneous equations?


What is the difference between simple and compound interest?