AlgebraKey Stage 3

Expanding the square of a bracket

Expand a squared bracket by writing it as two identical brackets.

  • Squaring a bracket means multiplying the whole bracket by itself.
  • Write the bracket twice, then use the existing two-bracket expansion method.
  • Collect like terms, including the two middle terms.

Example 1

Expand and simplify.

Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.

Example 2

Expand and simplify.

Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.

Remember
, not . The middle term matters.

Your turn

Question 1

Expand and simplify.

Check answer
Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.
Question 2

Expand and simplify.

Check answer
Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.
Question 3

Expand and simplify.

Check answer
Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.
Question 4

Expand and simplify.

Check answer
Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.
Question 5

Expand and simplify.

Check answer
Write the bracket twice, then multiply every term.Collect the two middle terms.
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