Distributive Property How to Simplify Expressions

(Coefficient with One Variable)

Distributive Property - How it Works - Video

Example 1

Example 1:

8x - (4x - 2)

8x -1 * (4x - 2)

8x - 4x + 2

8 * x - 4 * x + 2

4x + 2


Rewrote the minus as -1

Distributed the minus 1

Added the multiplication sign

Subtracted 8x and 4x

Example 2

Example 2:

2(m - 3) - 5(4m +1)

2 * (m - 3) - 5 * (4m +1)

2m - 6 - 20m + 5

2m - 20m - 6 - 5

2 * m - 20 * m - 6 - 5

-18m - 11


Added the multiplication sign

Distributed the 2 and -5

Rearranged the terms

Added the multiplication sign

Subtracted 2m and 20m and -6 and 5

Example 3

Example 3:

5p + 1 - 7(p2 + 3p)

5p + 1 - 7 * (p2 + 3p)

5p + 1 - 7p2 - 21p

-7p2 + 5p - 21p + 1

-7p2 + 5 * p - 21 * p + 1

-7p2 - 16p + 1


Added the multiplication sign

Distributed the -7

Rearranged the terms

Added the multiplication sign

Subtracted 5p and 21p

Live Worksheet