The Distributive Property

The Distributive PropertyThe process of distributing the number

on the outside of the parentheses to each term on the inside.

a(b + c) = ab + ac

a(b - c) = ab – acExample #1

5(x + 7)

= 5 • x + 5 • 7

= 5x + 35

Example #2

3(m - 4)=3 • m - 3 • 4=3m - 12

Example #3

-2(y + 3)= -2 • y + (-2) • 3= -2y + (-6)= -2y - 6

Be very careful with the signs!

Example #4 and #5

-7(2x – 5)= -7 • 2x - 7 • (-5)= -14x + 35

x(3x – 8)= x • 3x + x • (-8)= 3x2 - 8x

Be very careful with the signs!

Example #6

-½x(2x – 6)= - ½x• 2x - ½x• (-6)= -x2 + 3x

Your turn

a)7(3x – 8)

b)-5(6 – x)

c)x(x + 9)

d)

e)

)1512(3

1yx

)84(2 2 xxx

Homework

Worksheet