Show WorkingWorked example 1: expand a single bracket
Expand 3(x − 2).
- Multiply every term inside the bracket by 3.
- 3 × x = 3x
- 3 × (−2) = −6
- Put the results together: 3x − 6.
Answer 3x − 6
AlgebraFoundation and Higher
Expanding brackets: GCSE maths practice with worked answers
Show Working has 2 kinds of expanding brackets question for GCSE Maths, for Foundation and Higher. Every question is new each time and comes with the working, step by step.
Expanding brackets means multiplying everything inside a bracket by what is outside it. With double brackets every term in the first bracket multiplies every term in the second, then you collect like terms.
Coming soon to the App Store01 / What's covered2 kinds of question
Expanding brackets questions in the app
Each kind makes fresh questions every time, so you can practise as often as you like.
- Expand a single bracketBoth tiers
- Expand double bracketsBoth tiers
Worked example 2: expand double brackets
Expand and simplify (3x + 7)(x − 8).
- Multiply every term in the first bracket by every term in the second bracket.
- 3x × x = 3x2
- 3x × (−8) = −24x
- 7 × x = 7x
- 7 × (−8) = −56
- Collect the like terms: 3x2 − 17x − 56.
Answer 3x2 − 17x − 56
A common mistake
Only multiplying the first term inside the bracket. 3(x − 2) is 3x − 6, not 3x − 2.
02 / Practise itiPhone and iPad
Practise expanding brackets in Show Working
In the app, open Topics and choose Expanding brackets for ten fresh questions. Ask for a hint if you are stuck, and open the working to see the method one step at a time.
Coming soon to the App Store