Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-1-method-a-grid-method

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: A Compendium of Mathematical Methods - Seneca Certified](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified.md) › Method A - Grid Method

# Method A - Grid Method

CPD: A Compendium of Mathematical Methods (By Jo Morgan), topic 3.1.1

## Explanation of the Grid Method

### Step 1

![Step 1](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/05e4cab3-29f7-48ec-9208-069a53be43d0/Method%20A%20-%20Explanation%201.png)

- Think about multiplication in terms of area. 
- For (x + 4)(x + 2), imagine we have a rectangle with side lengths x + 4 and x + 2.

### Step 2

![Step 2](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/7a48c23f-7f7c-4353-b1c3-ccf742d08d6c/Method%20A%20-%20Explanation%201%20(1).png)

- We could split the side lengths up and break the rectangle into sections.

### Step 3

![Step 3](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/816a4148-c0e3-4534-94d1-80cbff3ee4b0/Method%20A%20-%20Explanation%202.png)

- We could then find the total area of the rectangle by summing the area of each section. Pupils should already be able to do this with numerical side lengths and compound shapes.

### Answer

![Answer](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/153d0418-449f-466b-be59-da19cd1aa64b/Method%20A%20-%20Explanation%202%20(1).png)

## Test yourself on Method A - Grid Method

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d0e67498-99c8-47d2-ada7-cd629abed70c/section/39162f5f-3664-454b-a207-cda90eb6b39b/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.9 Method I - Nines Complement Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-9-method-i-nines-complement-method.md)
- Next topic: [3.1.2 Method B - Each by Each](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-2-method-b-each-by-each.md)

## CPD: A Compendium of Mathematical Methods (By Jo Morgan) contents

### 1 Course Overview
- 1.1 Course Structure & Commonly Asked Questions
  - [1.1.1 Introduction to the Course & Common Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/1-1-1-introduction-to-the-course-and-common-questions.md)

### 2 Subtraction: KS2/3
- 2.1 Subtraction Methods
  - [2.1.1 Method A - Decomposition Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-1-method-a-decomposition-method.md)
  - [2.1.2 Method B - Equal Addition Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-2-method-b-equal-addition-method.md)
  - [2.1.3 Method C - Expanded Form Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-3-method-c-expanded-form-method.md)
  - [2.1.4 Method D - Partitioning Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-4-method-d-partitioning-method.md)
  - [2.1.5 Method E - Counting-Up Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-5-method-e-counting-up-method.md)
  - [2.1.6 Method F - Constant Difference Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-6-method-f-constant-difference-method.md)
  - [2.1.7 Method G - Partial Differences Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-7-method-g-partial-differences-method.md)
  - [2.1.8 Method H - Complementary Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-8-method-h-complementary-method.md)
  - [2.1.9 Method I - Nines Complement Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/2-1-9-method-i-nines-complement-method.md)

### 3 Expanding Double Brackets: KS3/4
- 3.1 Expansion Methods
  - [3.1.1 Method A - Grid Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-1-method-a-grid-method.md)
  - [3.1.2 Method B - Each by Each](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-2-method-b-each-by-each.md)
  - [3.1.3 Method C - Distributive Law](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-3-method-c-distributive-law.md)
  - [3.1.4 Method D - Inspection](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-4-method-d-inspection.md)
  - [3.1.5 Method E - Column Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-5-method-e-column-method.md)
  - [3.1.6 Method F - Vertical & Crosswise](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-6-method-f-vertical-and-crosswise.md)