Pre-Algebra : Distributive Property

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Pre-Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Distributive Property

Simplify the expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2 : Distributive Property

Find the value of .

Possible Answers:

2

6

-6

-2

4

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

We can seperate the problem into two steps:

We then combine the two parts:

 

Example Question #1 : How To Use The Distributive Property In Pre Algebra

Distribute .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

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.

Example Question #4 : Distributive Property

Simplify the expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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

 

Example Question #5 : Distributive Property

Simplify the expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the distributive property to multiply each term by .

Simplify.

Example Question #2 : Distributive Property

Distribute:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

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:

 

Example Question #2 : Distributive Property

Which of the following is equivalent to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We need to distribute -3 by multiplying both terms inside the parentheses by -3.:

 .

Now we can multiply and simplify. Remember that multiplying two negative numbers results in a positive number:

Example Question #3 : Distributive Property

Expand:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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

Add the terms together:

Example Question #4 : Distributive Property

Distribute:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

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: 

 

Example Question #5 : Distributive Property

Expand:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Distribute the  by multiplying it by each term inside the parentheses. 

 

and

Therefore, 5(2 + y) = 10 + 5y.

 

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