GCSE - ALGEBRAIC METHODS – EXPAND AND SIMPLiFY by Yasmeen

By Yasmeen

To expand a bracket you simply multiply everything inside the bracket by the number outside. 2(3a + 5) Answer: 6a+10

-3 (2b-4) Answer: -6b + 12

3(5x-4) = 2(2x+5) x/2 =3 15x – 12 = 4x + 10 X = 3 x 2

4x -15x + 10 +12 X =6 - 11x + 22

- X = 22/11

- X= 2 Remember if it jumps over to the other side then the basic mathematical operation will change to its opposite value. The basic mathematical operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Have a structured approach to your working-out method. This avoids mistakes.

2x – 3 =1/2 (x-3) /2 = (x-2)/3 2X = ½ +3 Expand brackets

X = 3.5 /2 (3x-9) = (2x-4) X = 1 ¾ (or 1.75) = 2x-3x-4+9

X=5

Simplify 2x+5y+x -3y Simplify a+4b+3a-3b

2x+x +5y -3y a+3a+4b-3b 3X + 2y 4a+b

Simplify is simply grouping together all the same algebraic expressions ( x, y,a,b …), reorder to combine them and then calculate – simples!

GCSE - ALGEBRAIC METHODS – EXPAND AND SIMPLiFY by Yasmeen

By Yasmeen

Simplify 5a+4b-a+b Simplify 4(2a+3b) -6a-b 5a-a+4b+b 8a + 12b – 6a -b

4a+5b 8a – 6a +12b -b 2a + 11b

What does it mean to ‘expand and simplify?’

To expand is to get rid of the brackets. To simplify is to group up the same

terms (algebraic expressions).

Expand and simplify 3(3y+2) + 4 (y+2) 3(3y+2) + 4 (y+2) get rid of the brackets = expand

9y + 6 +4y + 8 9y+4y+6+8 group them up together = simplify

13Y+14

Expand 3x(5+3y) = 2 Expand -3(-2x +4) = 1 15X+9xy = 2 Notice how the signs change

6x -12 = 1