Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Simplifying Expressions using the Distributive Property

Mrs. C explains the top three mistakes students make when using the distributive property to simplify expressions. She demonstrates each mistake with examples and then provides the correct method. An advanced example is also discussed, highlighting the importance of order in expressions.

What is the first common mistake students make when using the distributive property?

• Combining like terms before distributing

• Forgetting to distribute the factor to every term inside the parentheses

• Distributing the factor to every term in the expression

• Using the wrong factor for distribution

In the first mistake, what incorrect expression do students end up with?

• 20y squared plus 36

• 20y squared plus 15

• 24x minus 6y cubed minus 8

• 20y squared plus 9

What is the second mistake students make when applying the distributive property?

• Forgetting to distribute the factor to every term inside the parentheses

• Using the wrong factor for distribution

• Distributing the factor to every term in the expression

• Combining like terms before distributing

What incorrect expression results from the second mistake?

• 20y squared plus 9

• 24x minus 6y cubed minus 8

• 20y squared plus 36

• 20y squared plus 15

What is the third mistake students make when simplifying expressions?

• Using the wrong factor for distribution

• Forgetting to distribute the factor to every term inside the parentheses

• Distributing the factor to every term in the expression

• Combining like terms before distributing

What is the correct simplified expression for the example given in the video?

• 24x minus 6y cubed minus 8

• 20y squared plus 15

• 20y squared plus 36

• 20y squared plus 9

In the final example, what is the correct order of terms in the simplified expression?

• 24x plus negative 6y cubed minus 8

• Negative 8 minus 6y cubed plus 24x

• Negative 6y cubed plus 24x minus 8

• 24x minus 6y cubed minus 8