Lesson 1-4

Distributive Property
Today’s Goals
● Use the Distributive
Explore Using Rectangles with the Distributive Property to evaluate
expressions.
Property ● Use the Distributive
Property to simplify
 nline Activity Use dynamic geometry software to complete the
O expressions.
Explore.
Today’s Vocabulary
coefficient
INQUIRY What is the product of a and
(b + c)? like terms
simplest form
equivalent
Explore Modeling the Distributive Property expressions

Online Activity Use algebra tiles to complete the Explore.

INQUIRY How can you use algebra tiles to

find the product of two expressions?

Learn Distributive Property with Numerical Expressions

The expressions 3(4 + 2) and 3 · 4 + 3 · 2 are equivalent expressions
because they have the same value, 18. This concept shows how the
Distributive Property combines addition and multiplication.
Multiplying a number by a sum of numbers is the same as doing each
multiplication separately and then adding the products.
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Key Concept • Distributive Property

Symbols For any numbers a, b, and c,
a(b + c) = ab + ac and (b + c)a = ba + ca and Think About It!
a(b − c) = ab − ac and (b − c)a = ba – ca. If a(b + c) = ab + ac,
Examples 4(9 + 3) = 4 ∙ 9 + 4 ∙ 3 then what does ab +
ac equal?
4(12) = 36 + 12
48 = 48
a(b + c)
5(8 − 2) = 5 ∙ 8 − 5 ∙ 2
5(6) = 40 − 10
30 = 30
The Symmetric Property of Equality allows the Distributive Property to
also be written in the reverse order ab + ac = a(b + c).

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Lesson 1-4 • Distributive Property 35

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 Your Notes Apply Example 1 Use the Distributive Property
SHOPPING Assume
When are you likely to do the
Think About It! that high school majority of back-to-school shopping?
Write an expression students spend an 46%
for the amount spent average of $180 on
on back-to-school back-to-school
shopping in June shopping during the 24%
22%
and September. months of June to
Then evaluate the September. Write an 8%
expression. expression to
June July Aug Sept
Sample answer: represent the amount
180(0.24 + 0.08); The of money spent in August if the amount of money spent in August
total amount spent in is equal to the amount of money spent in July minus the amount
June and September is of money spent in June. Evaluate your expression using the
$57.60. Distributive Property.

1. What is the task?

Describe the task in your own words. Then list any questions that you
Watch Out! may have. How can you find answers to your questions?
Decimals and Percents Sample answer: Given the total amount spent and percentages of money
Make sure to convert spent, we need find the amount of money spent in August.
percents to decimals
before performing
2. H
 ow will you approach the task? What have you learned that
calculations.
you can use to help you complete the task?
Sample answer: I will determine the percent of the total spent in June and
July. Then I will estimate the amount spent in August. I will write and
evaluate an expression for the amount spent in August.

3. What is your solution?

Use your strategy to solve the problem.

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What expression represents the amount spent in August?
180(0.46 – 0.24)
What is the total amount spent in August? $39.60

4. How can you know that your solution is reasonable?

Write About It! Write an argument that can be used to defend your
solution.
The total percentage for August is 22%, and the total amount spent is
$180. Multiply 0.22 and 180 to get 39.6. Therefore, the total amount spent
in August is $39.60. This is close to our estimate of $36.

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36 Module 1 • Expressions
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 Check
SWIMMING Verdell’s swim team practices 5 days a week. Each day they
spend 15 minutes stretching, 45 minutes swimming laps, and
30 minutes lifting weights.
Part A Which expression(s) represent the number of minutes Verdell’s
team spends in practice each week? Select all that apply. A, C
A. 5(15 + 45 + 30) B. 5(15) + 45 + 30
C. 5(15) + 5(45) + 5(30) D. 5(15) + 5(45) +30
E. 5 + 15 + 45 + 30

Part B H
 ow much time does Verdell’s team spend in practice each
week? D

A. 90 minutes B. 150 minutes

C. 330 minutes D. 450 minutes

Example 2 Mental Math

Use the Distributive Property to rewrite and evaluate each
expression. Think About It!
How can you use the
a. 5 · 99 Distributive Property to
5 ∙ 99 = 5(100 - 1) Think: 99 = 100 - 1 rewrite and evaluate
the expression 8(1100)?
= 5(100) – 5(1) Distributive Property
Sample answer: Think:
= 500 - 5 Multiply. 1100 = 1000 + 100, so
= 495 Subtract. 8 ∙ 1100 = 8(1000 +
100). Use the
b. 4 ∙ 1002 Distributive Property:
4 ∙ 1002 = 4(1000 + 2) Think: 1002 = 1000 + 2 8(1000) + 8(100).
Multiply to get 8000 +
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= 4(1000) + 4(2) Distributive Property 800. Then add to get

= 4000 + 8 Multiply.
8800.

= 4008 Add.

Check
Part A Estimate the value of the expression 7(51).

7( 50 ) = 350, so 7(51) will be a little more than 350.

Part B W
 hich expression(s) use(s) the Distributive Property to rewrite
and find the exact value of the expression 7(51)? B, E
A. 51(7 - 3); 204 B. 7(50 + 1); 357 C. 51(7 + 3); 510
D. 51(7) - 51(3); 204 E. 7(50) + 7(1); 357 F. 51(7) + 51(3); 510

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 Learn Distributive Property with Algebraic Expressions
The coefficient is the numerical factor of a term.
Like terms are terms with the same variables, with corresponding
variables having the same exponent.
An expression is in simplest form when it is replaced by an equivalent
expression having no like terms or parentheses.
The Distributive Property and the properties of equality can be used to
show that 6x + 2x = 8x. In this expression, 6x and 2x are like terms.

6x + 2x = (6 + 2)x Distributive Property

= 8x Substitution

The expressions 6x + 2x and 8x are called equivalent expressions

because they represent the same value for any value of the variable.

Example 3 Distribute an Algebraic Expression from

the Left
Problem-Solving Tip Rewrite 4(5x – 7) using the Distributive Property. Then simplify.
Make a Model
It can be helpful to 4(5x - 7) = 4 · 5x - 4 · 7 Distributive Property
visualize a problem
using algebra tiles or = 20x - 28 Multiply.
folded paper.

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Check
Simplify the expression. A
-6(r + 3g - t)

A. -6r - 18g + 6t

B. -6r + 18g - 6t

C. 6r – 18g + 6t

D. 6r + 18g - 6t

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38 Module 1 • Expressions
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 Example 4 Distribute an Algebraic Expression from
the Right
Rewrite (3y 2 + y - 8)6 using the Distributive Property. Then simplify. Talk About It!
Emilio says you can
add 18y2 and 6y to get
(3y2 + y - 8)6 = 6(3y2) + 6(y) + 6(-8) Distributive Property 24y3. Do you agree or
disagree? Justify your
= 18y2 + 6y - 48 Multiply. answer.

Sample answer: I
disagree with Emilio.
Because 18y2 and 6y do
not have the same
exponent, they are not
Example 5 Combine Like Terms like terms and cannot
be added.
Simplify each expression.

a. 14a + 18a

14a + 18a = ( 14 + 18 )a Distributive Property

= 32a Substitution

b. 4b2 + 9b - 3b

4b2 + 9b - 3b = 4b2 + ( 9 - 3 )b Distributive Property

2
= 4b + 6b Substitution

Think About It!

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What are the like terms

in part a and part b?

Check a: 14a and 18a; b: 9b

Simplify the expression. If not possible, choose simplified. D and 3b
b2 + 13b + 13

A. 13b2 + 13b Watch Out!

Like Terms
B. 26b2b 4b2 and 6b are not like
terms because they
C. 26b3 have different
exponents.
D. simplified

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 Think About It!
Example 6 Write and Simplify Expressions
Caitlyn is using the Part A Complete the table to write an algebraic expression for three
Distributive Property to times the sum of 2x and 3y decreased by twice the difference of 4x
simplify -4(3k + 7p). and y.
She got -12k + 28p.
Do you agree or Words three times the decreased twice the difference
disagree? Justify your sum of 2x and 3y by of 4x and y
answer. Expression 3(2x + 3y) - 2(4x - y)

Sample answer: I
disagree with Caitlyn.
She forgot to distribute
the negative sign to 7p.
Part B Simplify the expression and indicate the properties used.

3(2x + 3y) - 2(4x - y)

= 3(2x) + 3(3y) - 2(4x) - 2(-y) Distributive Property

= 6 x+ 9 y- 8 x+ 2 y Multiply.

= 6x - 8x + 9y + 2y Commutative (+)

=( 6 - 8 )x + ( 9 + 2 )y Distributive Property

= –2 x + 11 y Simplify.

Check

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Study Tip Which expressions are equivalent to 4 times the sum of 2 times x and
Distributive Property 6? Write each expression in the appropriate box.
Remember, when
simplifying the • 8(x - 3) • 4(2x + 6)
expression 3(2x + 3y), • (4 + 2x)6 • 4(2 + x + 6)
you must distribute the
3 to both terms inside • 8x + 24 • 4(2x) + 4(6)
the parentheses.

Equivalent Not Equivalent

4(2x + 6) 4(2 + x + 6)
4(2x) + 4(6) 8(x - 3)
8x + 24 (4 + 2x)6

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40 Module 1 • Expressions
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