Distributive Property Worksheets

There are five sets of simplifying expressions worksheets:

• Simplify Expressions (Add, Subtract Like Terms)
  
• Simplify Expressions (Multiply, Divide)
  
• Simplify Expressions (Distributive Property)
  
• Simplify Expressions (Combine Like Terms)
  
• Simplify Expressions (Distributive Property & Combine Like Terms)
  

Examples, solutions, videos, and worksheets to help Grade 6 and Grade 7 students learn how to simplify an expression by using the distributive property.

How to use the distributive property to simplify an expression?

There are three sets of using distributive property to simplify an expression worksheets.

• Simplify Expressions using Distributive Property (One Variable)
• Simplify Expressions using Distributive Property (Two Variables)
• Simplify Expressions using Distributive Property (Include Combine Like Terms)

The distributive property is a mathematical rule that states that when a number is multiplied by a sum, the product is the same as multiplying each of the addends by the number and then adding the products together.

Steps on how to use the distributive property to simplify an expression:

1. Identify the value outside the parentheses. This is the value to be distributed to the other terms in the expression.
2. Multiply the value outside the parentheses by each of the terms inside the parentheses.
3. Combine the terms that were created by the multiplication.
4. Simplify the expression if necessary.

Example:
Expression: 5(x + 2)

1. Distribute the 5:
   5 × x = 5x
   5 × 2 = 10
2. Combine the terms:
   5x + 10

Example:
Expression: -3(2x - 5y)

1. Distribute the -3:
   -3 × 2x = -6x
   -3 × -5y = 15y
2. Combine the terms:
   -6x + 15y

Example:
Expression: -3(2x - 5y) + 3x

1. Distribute the -3:
   -3 × 2x = -6x
   -3 × -5y = 15y
2. Combine the terms:
   -6x + 15y + 3x
3. Simplify the expression:
   -3x + 15y

Click on the following worksheet to get a printable pdf document.
Scroll down the page for more Distributive Property Worksheets.

to simplify Expressions" width="474" height="696" />

More Distributive Property Worksheets

Related Lessons & Worksheets

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.