# Example: Expand $3(2x + 5)$ using the grid method

Example: Expand 3(2x + 5) using the grid method

Draw a grid with one row and two columns, since we have one term outside the brackets (3) and two terms inside the brackets (2x and 5):

\times2x2x
3

Although it’s not necessary to write the multiplication sign in the top-left it can help remind us that we are multiplying each row term by each column term.

Now, multiply each term inside the brackets by the term outside the brackets:

\times2x5
36x15

Add the terms in the middle of the grid together to get the final answer: