---
title: "Expanding Single Brackets"
description: "Expand (multiply out) a single term over a bracket using the distributive property, e.g., 3(2x + 5) = 6x + 15; expand expressions involving negative multipliers"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/expanding-single-brackets-mt_FX4a2Q8XXN
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/expanding-single-brackets-mt_FX4a2Q8XXN.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Expanding Single Brackets

Expand (multiply out) a single term over a bracket using the distributive property, e.g., 3(2x + 5) = 6x + 15; expand expressions involving negative multipliers

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Algebra · Ages 11 to 13
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/expanding-single-brackets-mt_FX4a2Q8XXN

## Ready when they can

- Multiply a single positive term over a bracket to expand the expression
- Multiply a negative term over a bracket, correctly handling signs
- Combine expanding brackets with collecting like terms to simplify fully

## Lesson: Expanding Single Brackets

A bracket like (2x + 5) is a group of terms stuck together. When a number sits right outside the bracket, like in 3(2x + 5), that number multiplies every single term inside. This is called expanding the bracket.

*(drawing: One bracket, two multiplications. The outside 3 visits both terms inside, and the answers join up.)*

**Example.** Take 3(2x + 5). Multiply 3 by 2x first: 3 times 2x is 6x. Then multiply 3 by 5: 3 times 5 is 15. Join the results: 3(2x + 5) = 6x + 15.

**Example.** Now try -2(x - 4). Multiply -2 by x: -2 times x is -2x. Multiply -2 by -4: -2 times -4 is 8, because a negative times a negative is positive. So -2(x - 4) = -2x + 8.

**Example.** Sometimes you expand first, then tidy up. For 5(x + 2) - 3x, expand to get 5x + 10 - 3x. Then collect the x terms: 5x - 3x = 2x. The simplified answer is 2x + 10.

**Tip.** Picture an arrow running from the outside number to every term inside the bracket. Two terms inside means two multiplications. Skip one, and your answer will be wrong.

**Recap.** Multiply the outside number by every term inside the bracket, keep track of the signs, then collect like terms if you can.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Collecting Like Terms](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/collecting-like-terms-mt_nNNVrLqPW3)
- [Sign Rules for Multiplication and Division](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/sign-rules-for-multiplication-and-division-mt_rxInpOQ74w)

## Opens up

- [Expanding Double Brackets](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/expanding-double-brackets-mt_KhS7K1Mgrw)
- [Solving linear equations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/solving-linear-equations-mt_QhFEDyIwSO)
- [Factorising Expressions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/factorising-expressions-mt_uESbzWCZIq)