Algebra- Expanding and simplifying equations
Expanding and Simplifying Algebraic Equations
Here we are going to take a look at how to expand and simplify Algebraic Equations;
Example 1
When multiplying out two brackets make sure that each term in the second bracket is multiplied by each term in the first bracket.
See examples below, I've colour coded the steps of the equations to make them simpler to understand.
An easy way to multiply out two brackets is to use the grid method shown below;
Grid method for (x + 3) ( x + 4)
Example 2
Again multiply all the terms in the second bracket by the terms in the first bracket
The grid method for (2x - 4) (x - 5)
Example 3
Again we'll multiply all the terms in the second bracket by the terms in the first bracket;
In this equation (4x2 - 3) ( 3x + 1)
as there are no like terms to gather we just write out the expanded expression;
12x3 + 4x2 - 9x - 3
The grid method for (4x2 - 3) (3x + 1)