Expanding triple brackets
Learn the method, practise it, then try real exam questions.
ATeaching
Example 1
Expand and simplify (x + 2)(x + 3)(x + 4)
- 1Use a grid to expand the first two brackets:
×x2xx²2x33x6 - 2Simplify the terms:
x² + 5x + 6 - 3Multiply your answer by the last bracket. Write each term of your answer across the top of a new grid:
×x²5x6xx³5x²6x44x²20x24 - 4Simplify the like terms:
5x² + 4x² = 9x²
6x + 20x = 26x - 5Put all the terms together to write your answer.
x³ + 9x² + 26x + 24
Example 2
Expand and simplify (2x + 1)(x + 3)(x − 2)
- 1Use a grid to expand the first two brackets:
×2x1x2x²x36x3 - 2Simplify the terms:
2x² + 7x + 3 - 3Multiply your answer by the last bracket. Write each term of your answer across the top of a new grid:
×2x²7x3x2x³7x²3x− 2− 4x²− 14x− 6 - 4Simplify the like terms:
7x² − 4x² = 3x²
3x − 14x = −11x - 5Put all the terms together to write your answer.
2x³ + 3x² − 11x − 6
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CWorksheet
Expand triple brackets
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