Category
Distributive property definitionFor expressions in the form of a(b+c), the distributive property shows us how to solve them by:
 Distributive property of multiplication over additionRegardless of whether you use the distributive property or follow the order of operations, you’ll arrive at the same answer. In the first example below, we simply evaluate the expression according to the order of operations, simplifying what was in parentheses first.
Distributive property of multiplication over subtractionSimilar to the operation above, performing the distributive property with subtraction follows the same rules -- except you’re finding the difference instead of the sum.Distributive property with variablesRemember what we said about algebraic expressions and variables? The distributive property allows us to simplify equations when dealing with unknown values. Using the distributive law with variables involved, we can isolate x:
Distributive property with exponentsAn exponent is a shorthand notation indicating how many times a number is multiplied by itself. When parentheses and exponents are involved, using the distributive property can make simplifying the expression much easier.
Distributive property with fractionsSolving algebraic expressions with fractions looks more complicated than it is. Follow the steps outlined below to see how it’s done. Hopefully this step-by-step process helps your students understand how and why the distributive property can come in handy when simplifying fractions.
Exploring distributive property in different ways1. ProdigyProdigy is a no-cost, adaptive math platform loved by 1.5 million teachers and more than 50 million students around the world! It offers curriculum-aligned content from every major math topic in 1st to 8th grade, including how to:
2. Word problemsThe distributive property may not see applicable to everyday life, but let’s see it in action through some word problems! Liam has diverse taste in music. Scrolling through the music on his phone, Liam’s friends find songs from three different genres: pop, metal, and country. There are six times as many metal songs as there are pop songs, and 11 times as many country songs as there are pop songs. If x represents the number of pop songs, what are the total number of songs Liam has on his phone? Write an expression. Simplify. To get the number of metal songs, multiply the number of pop songs by five -- 5x. To get the number of country songs, multiply the number of pop songs by 11 -- 11x. Since you know x is the number of pop songs, you can write the expression as:3. ArraysVisual or hands-on manipulatives help students make sense of math and concretize abstract concepts. They’re especially helpful for deepening your students’ understanding of the distributive property. Use objects, pictures, numbers -- anything! -- in rows and columns as a useful way to represent mathematical expressions like 45 and 59. Check out the example below on Indulgy:Final thoughts on the distributive propertyAs one of the most commonly used properties, it’s important to learn how to perform and apply the distributive property. Without it, clearing the parentheses wouldn’t be possible! By incorporating EdTech resources, arrays, or math word problems, students should see the hands-on, practical applications of the distributive property. Give them a try. Did one example work more effectively to engage students and deepen their understanding? Let us know in the comments!Create or log into your teacher account on Prodigy -- a zero-cost, game-based learning platform for math that’s easy to use for educators and students alike. Aligned with curricula across the English-speaking world, it’s loved by 1.5 million teachers and more than 50 million students! How do you use the distributive property to remove parentheses?Distributive Property. Parentheses can be removed by multiplying the outside factor to each term inside the parentheses. Note: A negative sign outside parentheses can be understood as the coefficient -1.
Can you do distributive property on a calculator?Distributive properties with fractions can easily be solved with the help of distribute calculator. However, you can also use algebra calculator to solve expressions for variables following the phenomenon of distributive property.
How do you find the distributive property?The formula for the distributive property is expressed as, a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c); where, a, b, and c are the operands. Here, the number outside the brackets is multiplied with each term inside the brackets and then the products are added.
|
Use the distributive property to remove the parentheses calculator
Copyright © 2024 pauex Inc.
