Definition of Expand

Expand

Jargon-Free Definition

To expand means to make something bigger or more spread out.

In mathematics, expand usually means to remove brackets by multiplying.

For example:

expands to .

QCAA/AC9 Definition

To expand means to rewrite an expression by Use multiplication to remove brackets or grouping symbols.

Expanding keeps the value of the expression the same, but changes the way it is written.

Examples of Word Use in School

• Expand .
• Expand and Simplify .
• Use the distributive law to expand .
• Expand .

Mathematical Definition

To expand an algebraic expression is to Apply the distributive property so that products involving brackets are rewritten as sums or differences of terms.

For example:

and

Expanding does not change the value of the expression; it produces an equivalent expression.