Distributive property with variables

The  exercise appears under the 6th grade (U.S.) Math Mission. This exercise practices distribution nad begins to introduce factoring of algebraic expressions.

Types of Problems
There are two types of problems in this exercise:


 * 1) Use the distributive property to expand: This problem has an algebraic expression that requires distribution. The student is expected to use distributivity to simplify the expression and then write it in the space provided.Dpwv1.png
 * 2) Use the distributive property to factor: This problem provides a sum of multiple algebraic terms with a common factor. The student is expected to factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) and write a simplified expression in the space provided.Dpwv2.png

Strategies
Knowledge of the distributive property and factoring are encouraged to ensure success on this exercise.
 * 1) The distributive property states that a(b+c)=ab+ac.
 * 2) Factoring requires taking an expression like ab+ac and making it a(b+c).
 * 3) The factoring problems require that the student factor out the GCF, so a partial factoring will not suffice.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) The factoring techniques are common and necessary in many classes of mathematics beyond algebra.