References. You know you need to multiply three by 25 (3 x 25), but you're not carrying a calculator or a pencil and paper. Example: Use the GCF and the Distributive Property to express the sum. How can I change a decimal into a fraction? Show Video Lesson The distributive property also can be used to simplify algebraic equations by eliminating the parenthetical portion of the equation. Since 9+6=15, the blank space in your problem will be filled in with a 6. What is the Distributive Property? Help Your Child Who's Struggling with Math. They learn how number properties help simplify expressions, such as how using the distributive property with numerical expressions can be a helpful mental math strategy. The literal definition of the distributive property is that multiplying a number by a sum is the same as doing each multiplication separately. Find the "difficult" number in the problem and rewrite it as the sum of two "easy" numbers. If I had the expression -8a(3b), then would the answer be -24a + 3ab? Last Updated: October 30, 2019 If a child has trouble answering 45, use smaller arrays and rewrite the expression as 4(3+2) or (43)+(42). You're buying three boxes of cookies for a party. You need to make sure that you do it properly so you don’t lose any information and solve the equation correctly. For example, 22 can be rewritten as (20+2). In equation form, the distributive property looks like this: a (b + c) = a b + a c (Remember, in math, when two numbers/factors are right next to each other, that means to … Using the Distributive Property when Solving Equations Now is your chance to learn how to use the distributive property and combining like terms in order to solve more complex equations. When you distribute something, you are dividing it into parts. How do I solve 8(22) as a distributive problem? This is the distributive property in action right here. To use the distributive property to solve an equation, multiply the term outside the parenthesis by each term inside the parenthesis. It offers curriculum-aligned content from every major math topic in 1st to 8th grade, including how to: Use the distributive property to expand and solve expressions, Fill in the missing numbers in equivalent expressions using the distributive property. The distributive property allows you to multiply the term outside the parentheses by the terms inside. Then the distributive property makes this fairly easy, as it becomes 7*10=70, and 7*6=42. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Distributive Property in Maths. If the equation looks like this: 10-5(9n-9), then distribute the 5 to the equation inside the parenthesis it will look like this 10-45n-45. Therefore the answer to 7x16=112. In the first example below, we simply evaluate the expression according to the order of operations, simplifying what was in parentheses first. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 187,036 times. Learning to distribute, simplify in mental math. In algebra, we use the Distributive Property to remove parentheses as we simplify expressions. Identify the fractions. On the left side of the equation, enclose "x+2" inside parentheses. Multiply, or distribute, the outer term to the inner terms. Simplify the numbers. Visual or hands-on manipulatives help students make sense of math and concretize abstract concepts. If you practice this you can quickly do multiplications in your head. With questions like the one above, students will master the distributive property in no time at all. You may have copied this problem incorrectly. The videos are a little silly and star a group of junior high aged kids. How much does each uniform cost per team mate? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Use-Distributive-Property-to-Solve-an-Equation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Distributive-Property-to-Solve-an-Equation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Use-Distributive-Property-to-Solve-an-Equation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1664016-v4-728px-Use-Distributive-Property-to-Solve-an-Equation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"529","licensing":"