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22 Dec 2025

2 pages

Mastering Quadratics: Knowledge Organizer for GCSE AQA

L

Luck

@imbored2999

Ever wondered why algebra seems to follow patterns everywhere? Quadratics... Show more

Keywords
Expanding brackets means removing the brackets.
Factorising means putting brackets back into expressions.
Factors of a number are t

Expanding and Factorising Quadratics

Think of expanding brackets like unpacking a suitcase - you're taking everything out and spreading it around. When you see something like 4a+6a+6, multiply the 4 by everything inside those brackets to get 4a + 24.

Factorising works the opposite way - you're packing things back into the suitcase by finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF). For example, 4x + 12 becomes 4x+3x + 3 because 4 divides into both terms perfectly.

The real fun starts with double brackets like x5x-5x+2x+2. You need to multiply everything in the first bracket by everything in the second bracket - think of it as making sure everyone at two different tables meets everyone at the other table. This gives you x² - 3x - 10 after collecting like terms.

Top Tip: Always check your factorising by expanding the brackets back out - if you get your original expression, you've nailed it!

Squared brackets like x+3x+3² are just the same bracket multiplied by itself twice. The difference of two squares pattern likex216like x² - 16 has a special shortcut: it always factors as x+4x+4x4x-4.

Keywords
Expanding brackets means removing the brackets.
Factorising means putting brackets back into expressions.
Factors of a number are t

Solving Quadratic Equations and Sequences

Quadratic equations are like puzzles where you're hunting for the mystery values of x that make everything equal zero. The standard form ax² + bx + c = 0 might look scary, but it follows a reliable three-step process: rearrange, factorise, then solve.

Once you've factorised your equation into something like x4x-4x2x-2 = 0, you're nearly there. Since anything multiplied by zero equals zero, either x-4 = 0 or x-2 = 0, giving you x = 4 or x = 2.

Sequences are number patterns that follow rules, and they're everywhere in maths. Linear sequences increase by the same amount each time (the common difference), while quadratic sequences have a constant second difference when you look at how the gaps between terms change.

Quick Check: For any quadratic sequence, find the first differences, then the second differences - if the second differences are constant, you've got a quadratic sequence!

Finding the nth term lets you calculate any term in the sequence without writing out hundreds of numbers. For linear sequences, use the format an + b, and for quadratic sequences, use an² + bn + c. The key is methodically working through the differences and checking your answer works.



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Most popular content: Factoring Quadratics

Most popular content in Maths

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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Maths

1,118

22 Dec 2025

2 pages

Mastering Quadratics: Knowledge Organizer for GCSE AQA

L

Luck

@imbored2999

Ever wondered why algebra seems to follow patterns everywhere? Quadratics are like the building blocks of advanced maths - they're expressions where variables get squared (raised to the power of 2). Mastering how to expand, factorise, and solve these expressions... Show more

Keywords
Expanding brackets means removing the brackets.
Factorising means putting brackets back into expressions.
Factors of a number are t

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Join milions of students

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Expanding and Factorising Quadratics

Think of expanding brackets like unpacking a suitcase - you're taking everything out and spreading it around. When you see something like 4a+6a+6, multiply the 4 by everything inside those brackets to get 4a + 24.

Factorising works the opposite way - you're packing things back into the suitcase by finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF). For example, 4x + 12 becomes 4x+3x + 3 because 4 divides into both terms perfectly.

The real fun starts with double brackets like x5x-5x+2x+2. You need to multiply everything in the first bracket by everything in the second bracket - think of it as making sure everyone at two different tables meets everyone at the other table. This gives you x² - 3x - 10 after collecting like terms.

Top Tip: Always check your factorising by expanding the brackets back out - if you get your original expression, you've nailed it!

Squared brackets like x+3x+3² are just the same bracket multiplied by itself twice. The difference of two squares pattern likex216like x² - 16 has a special shortcut: it always factors as x+4x+4x4x-4.

Keywords
Expanding brackets means removing the brackets.
Factorising means putting brackets back into expressions.
Factors of a number are t

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Solving Quadratic Equations and Sequences

Quadratic equations are like puzzles where you're hunting for the mystery values of x that make everything equal zero. The standard form ax² + bx + c = 0 might look scary, but it follows a reliable three-step process: rearrange, factorise, then solve.

Once you've factorised your equation into something like x4x-4x2x-2 = 0, you're nearly there. Since anything multiplied by zero equals zero, either x-4 = 0 or x-2 = 0, giving you x = 4 or x = 2.

Sequences are number patterns that follow rules, and they're everywhere in maths. Linear sequences increase by the same amount each time (the common difference), while quadratic sequences have a constant second difference when you look at how the gaps between terms change.

Quick Check: For any quadratic sequence, find the first differences, then the second differences - if the second differences are constant, you've got a quadratic sequence!

Finding the nth term lets you calculate any term in the sequence without writing out hundreds of numbers. For linear sequences, use the format an + b, and for quadratic sequences, use an² + bn + c. The key is methodically working through the differences and checking your answer works.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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Most popular content: Factoring Quadratics

Most popular content in Maths

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user