Chapter 9: Algebraic expressions and expanding brackets
GCSE Skills
- You need to be able to work with algebraic expressions confidently
- You can use the index laws to simplify algebraic expressions
- You can square or cube a whole expression
- Remember that if a letter appears on its own then it has the power 1
- Algebraic expressions may also contain negative and fractional indices
One at a time
- When you are multiplying expressions:
- Multiply any number parts first
- Add the powers of each letter to work out the new power
- When you are dividing expressions:
- Divide any number parts first
- Subtract the powers of each letter to work out the new power
Working it out
- Start by simplifying the top part of the fraction
- Do the number part first then the powers
- Next divide the expressions
- Divide the number part, then divide the indices
Expanding brackets
- Expanding or multiplying out brackets is a key algebra skill
- You have to multiply the expression outside the bracket by everything inside the bracket
- ‘Expand and simplify’ means multiply out and then collect like terms
Golden rule
- When you expand, you need to be careful with negative signs in front of the bracket
- Negative signs belong to the term to their right
- Multiply out the brackets first and then collect like terms if possible
Methods
- You can use the grid method to expand two brackets
- Or you can use the acronym FOIL to expand two brackets
- Remembered as smiley face
- First, outer, inner, last terms
Examiners report
- If you have to multiply three factors, don’t try to do it all in one step
- Expand and write brackets around the whole expansion
- Then multiply every terms inside the brackets by x