Simplifying Expressions/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

Simplify the expression: 3(2c - 5)

Back

6c - 15

Front

Simplify the expression: 10x - 3(2x + 8)

Back

4x - 24

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

Back

To simplify an expression means to combine like terms and reduce it to its simplest form.

Front

Simplify the expression: 2x + 3x - 12x

Back

-7x

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms.

Front

Simplify the expression: 3(x - y + 5)

Back

3x - 3y + 15

Front

What is a coefficient in an algebraic expression?

Back

A coefficient is a numerical factor in a term of an algebraic expression. For example, in 4x, 4 is the coefficient.

Front

Combine the like terms: 5n + 11n

Back

16n

Front

What is the first step in using the Distributive Property?

Back

The first step is to multiply the term outside the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses.