Combining Like Terms with Distributive Property

Front

What is the Distributive Property?

Back

The Distributive Property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

Front

Combine like terms: 3x + 5x

Back

8x

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 2x and 5x are like terms, but 2x and 3y are not.

Front

Solve for x: 2x + 3 = 11

Back

x = 4

Front

Combine like terms: 4y - 2y + 7

Back

2y + 7

Front

What is the first step in solving an equation?

Back

The first step is to simplify both sides of the equation by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property if necessary.

Front

Solve for x: 5 - (x + 4) = 16

Back

x = -15

Front

Combine like terms: 7x - 9x + 3 - 10

Back

-2x - 7

Front

What does it mean to isolate the variable?

Back

Isolating the variable means to get the variable by itself on one side of the equation, usually by performing inverse operations.

Front

Solve for x: 15x - 8 - 3x = 16

Back

x = 2