How to use the distributive property from algebra
What is the distributive property?
The distributive property is a method you can use to simplify expressions, especially when there are variables. To distribute, multiply the term outside of the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses.
Distributive Property:
???a(b+c)=ab+ac???
???a(b-c)=ab-ac???
Hi! I'm krista.
I create online courses to help you rock your math class. Read more.
Distributing removes the parentheses from the expression. When you are learning to distribute it’s useful to first write out the multiplication and then simplify.
How to use the distributive property to rewrite expressions
Take the course
Want to learn more about Algebra 1? I have a step-by-step course for that. :)
Expanding expressions using the distributive property
Example
Use the distributive property to expand the expression.
???4(3-x)???
Multiply the outside term ???4??? with each term inside the parentheses.
???4(3)-4(x)???
???12-4x???
Let’s try another example of the distributive property.
To distribute, multiply the term outside of the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses.
Example
Use the distributive property to expand the expression.
???-\frac{1}{3}(3y+15)???
Multiply the outside term ???-1/3??? with each term inside the parentheses.
???-\frac{1}{3}(3y)+-\frac{1}{3}(15)???
???-y-5???
