Simplifying Expressions with Negative Terms

This video tutorial teaches how to simplify expressions by distributing a negative term. It begins with a review of distribution using positive terms and highlights common mistakes students make, such as failing to distribute to all terms inside parentheses. The tutorial then focuses on distributing negative terms, providing examples and identifying patterns, such as sign changes in the simplified expression. By the end, students will understand how to correctly distribute negative terms in algebraic expressions.

Describe the common mistake students make when simplifying expressions with distribution.

What is the result of -4 times the quantity X + 2?

• -4X + 8

• -4X - 8

• 4X - 8

• 4X + 8