Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-a-compendium-of-mathematical-methods-seneca-certified/3-1-5-method-e-column-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 E - Column Method

# Method E - Column Method

CPD: A Compendium of Mathematical Methods (By Jo Morgan), topic 3.1.5

## Column Method: Expand and Simplify (x + 3)(x − 5)

### Step 1

![Step 1](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/2d35fda7-0f7d-4bd0-9f5b-7104b78e9648/Method%20E%20-%20Example%201%20(9).png)

- Write (x + 3)(x − 5) in two rows, in a layout similar to a column multiplication.

### Step 2

![Step 2](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/39e39cb0-7849-4895-ab9a-b0d5c2aa5a9c/Method%20E%20-%20Example%201%20(8).png)

- Now start by multiplying the x + 3 by −5.

### Step 3

![Step 3](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/ca28c213-f335-46c0-a6ee-99d99caa50a7/Method%20E%20-%20Example%201%20(7).png)

- Next, multiply the x + 3 by x. 
- When you write your answer, make sure you line up the x terms with the x terms in the previous line.

### Step 4

![Step 4](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/28b3cad8-676c-4078-9917-8317d23eb64c/Method%20E%20-%20Example%201%20(6).png)

- Now add the two products, column by column.

## Test yourself on Method E - Column Method

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d0e67498-99c8-47d2-ada7-cd629abed70c/section/e8fe9d68-5cf4-40b7-8189-790904a603f5/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [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)

## 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)