Multiplying three brackets

This PowerPoint presentation demonstrates

how to multiply out three brackets “in your
head”, without going through the step of
multiplying out two of the brackets first.

This is a method for those who are confident

with algebraic manipulation. If it seems too
hard now, stick with a method that suits you.

However, you might like to come back to this

and try it again later in your course!
Multiplying three brackets

You need to multiply one

term from each bracket,
to include every possible
combination.

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)
Multiplying three brackets

This is really an extension of the FOIL

method for two brackets. Start by
multiplying the First in the first two
brackets and the first in the last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³
Multiplying three brackets

Next, stay with the First in

the first two brackets and
multiply by the second in the
last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²
Multiplying three brackets

Next, multiply the Outer in

the first two brackets, and
multiply by the first term
in the last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x²

Multiplying three brackets

Next, multiply the Outer in

the first two brackets, and
multiply by the first term
in the last bracket … and then by the
second term in the
last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x² - 3x

Multiplying three brackets

Next, multiply the Inner in

the first two brackets, and
multiply by the first term
in the last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x² - 3x - 12x²

Multiplying three brackets

Next, multiply the Inner in

the first two brackets, and
multiply by the first term
in the last bracket … and then by the
second term in the
last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x² - 3x - 12x² + 4x

Multiplying three brackets

Finally, multiply the Last in

the first two brackets, and
multiply by the first term
in the last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x² - 3x - 12x² + 4x - 18x

Multiplying three brackets

Next, multiply the Last in

the first two brackets, and
multiply by the first term
in the last bracket … and then by the
second term in the
last bracket

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x² - 3x - 12x² + 4x - 18x + 6

Multiplying three brackets

Simplify by
collecting like
terms.

(x – 2)(2x + 3)(3x – 1)

= 6x³- 2x²+ 9x² - 3x - 12x² + 4x - 18x + 6

= 6x³ - 5x² - 17x + 6