Distributive Distributive Property Property

in in AlgebraAlgebra

Distributive PropertyDistributive Property The Distributive Property allows us to

simplify things out of order from the order of operations by distributing things inside parenthesis.

For Example:

3(x+2)

We can’t simplify what’s in the parenthesis because we don’t know the value of x

Distributive propertyDistributive property

But with the distributive property

3(2)

You simply multiply the number in front of the parenthesis with each part inside the parenthesis.

3(x+2)

For example:

3(x+2)

= 3x + = 3x+6

ExamplesExamples1. 5(2x+1) = 5(2x) + 5(1) = 10x + 5

2. -3(x +5) = -3(x) + -3(5) = -3x – 15

3. 2 –3(x + 6) = 2 - 3(x) + -3(6) = 2 – 3x – 18

= -3x – 16

Group PracticeGroup PracticeTry the following on your own

4. 4 + 6(3 – x)

5. -2(x + 4) +3

6. 2(x + 6 – 3)

Group Practice (con’t)Group Practice (con’t)4. 4 + 6(3 - x) = 4+ 6(3) - 6(x) = 4 + 18 - 6x

5. -2(x+4)+3 = -2(x) + -2(4)+3 = -2x + -8 +3

= 22 - 6x

= -2x – 5

6. 2(x+ 6 – 3) = 2(x) + 2(6) – 2(3) = 2x + 12 – 6

= 2x + 6

SummarySummary• The distributive property is used

when ________________________.• You would not want to use the

distributive property when ________ _____________________________.