Expand Single Brackets and Simplify

This activity is about expanding (multiplying out brackets) and simplifying algebraic expressions.

Example 1

Simplify 4x - 9(3 - 5x)

Answer

We copy down the 4x then multiply out the bracket:

4x - 27 + 45x (Did you spot that -9 x 3 = a negative 27, but -9 x -5x = a positive 45x?)

Now we collect like terms, i.e. 4x + 45x

49x - 27

Example 2

Simplify 3y(y - 5) + 2y² + 8y

Answer

First, start by expanding the bracket 3y(y - 5) to get 3y² - 15y

Simplify 3y² - 15y + 2y² + 8y

Collect y² terms together and y terms together

5y² - 7y 

Right, let's have a go at some questions now.