Simplifying Expressions with Distribution
Learning Objective
I can use the distributive property to simplify expressions.
Key Concepts
The distributive property helps remove parentheses within algebraic expressions when we cannot combine like terms inside the parentheses.
To simplify the expression 8(2m + 6), distribute the 8 to both terms inside the parentheses, resulting in 16m + 48.
When distributing with subtraction, you can treat the subtracted term as a negative to ensure correct application of the distributive property, such as in the expression 7(a - 9) which simplifies to 7a - 63.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 11 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What is the main purpose of using the distributive property in algebraic expressions?
2. Explain, in your own words, how the distributive property works when you have a number multiplied by an expression in parentheses.
3. Simplify the following expression using the distributive property: 5(x + 4)
...and 8 more questions
Educational Video
An Intro to the Distributive Property | Simplifying Expressions | Math with Mr. J
Math with Mr. J