Whenever we multiply a term by an expression in brackets, we must multiply it by every single term in the brackets. So in 3(x+4) the 3 must be multiplied by the x and by the 4. How many terms will we have once we have simplified this?

In some situations we will have two sets of brackets, like 5(x-2) – 3(4+x). What do you think we will do in this situation?

Example

Exercise

Let’s complete exercise 2B on pages 28 to 30 of the textbook:

The answers are below: