How to use the distributive property in pre-algebra

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Math › How to use the distributive property in pre-algebra

Questions 1 - 10
1

Simplify the expression.

Explanation

Use the distributive property to multiply each term by .

Simplify.

2

Simplify the expression.

Explanation

Use the distributive property to multiply each term of the polynomial by . Be careful to distribute the negative as well.

3

Distribute .

Explanation

When distributing with negative numbers we must remember to distribute the negative to all of the variables in the parentheses.

Distribute the through the parentheses by multiplying it with each object in the parentheses to get .

Perform the multiplication remembering the positive/negative rules to get , our answer.

4

Find the value of .

2

4

6

-2

-6

Explanation

We can seperate the problem into two steps:

We then combine the two parts:

5

Simplify the following expression:

Explanation

Recall that the distributive property requires that we multiply the outside term by both terms in parentheses and add the results.

6

Evaluate the following expression:

None of the above

Explanation

Recall the distributive property. We need to multiply the outside factor by both terms inside and then combine.

Thus,

7

Expand:

Explanation

Use the distributive property. Do not forget that the negative sign needs to be distributed as well!

Add the terms together:

8

Distribute:

Explanation

Remember that a negative multiplied by a negative is positive, and a negative multiplied by a positive is negative.

Distribute the through the parentheses by multiplying it by each of the two terms:

9

Simplify the expression.

Explanation

Multiply the mononomial by each term in the binomial, using the distributive property.

10

Distribute:

Explanation

When distributing with negative numbers we must remember to distribute the negative to all of the terms in the parentheses.

Remember, a negative multiplied by a negative is positive, and a negative multiplied by a positive number is negative.

Distribute the through the parentheses:

Perform the multiplication, remembering the positive/negative rules:

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