Solving algebraic equations is made easier by understanding some basic rules and properties. A few examples of properties that we will learn to use in the seventh grade are: the distributive, associative and commutative properties. These properties get learned and relearned throughout our time in school, each time adding new layers to or understanding. Today we will focus on the distributive property. We will go into depth on what it is and how to use it, and we will briefly get to know the associative and commutative properties as well.

What is the distributive property?

The distributive property is a method to simplify multiplication and division exercises. Essentially, it breaks down expressions into smaller, easier to manage terms.

Let's see some examples:

  • 6×26=6×(20+6)=120+36=1566 \times 26 = 6 \times (20 + 6) = 120 + 36 = 156
  • 7×32=7×(30+2)=210+14=2247 \times 32 = 7 \times (30 + 2) = 210 + 14 = 224
  • 104:4=(100+4):4=100:4+4:4=25+1=26104:4 = (100+4):4 = 100:4 + 4:4 = 25+1 = 26

If we look at the following examples, we can see that we have broken down the larger number into several smaller numbers that are more manageable. The value is the same as before, but now we can distribute a complex operation into several easy operations.

The distributive property can be described as:

Z×(X+Y)=ZX+ZYZ \times (X + Y) = ZX + ZY

Z×(XY)=ZXZYZ \times (X - Y) = ZX - ZY

A - The Distributive Property for Seventh Graders

Suggested Topics to Practice in Advance

  1. The commutative property
  2. The Commutative Property of Addition
  3. The Commutative Property of Multiplication

Practice The Distributive Property for 7th Grade

Examples with solutions for The Distributive Property for 7th Grade

Exercise #1

94+72= 94+72=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to simplify the calculation , we first break down 94 and 72 into smaller and preferably round numbers.

We obtain the following exercise:

90+4+70+2= 90+4+70+2=

Using the associative property, we then rearrange the exercise to be more functional.

90+70+4+2= 90+70+4+2=

We solve the exercise in the following way, first the round numbers and then the small numbers.

90+70=160 90+70=160

4+2=6 4+2=6

Which results in the following exercise:

160+6=166 160+6=166

Answer

166

Exercise #2

6336= 63-36=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem, first we will use the distributive property on the two numbers:

(60+3)-(30+6)

Now, we will use the substitution property to arrange the exercise in the way that is most convenient for us to solve:

60-30+3-6

It is important to pay attention that when we open the second parentheses, the minus sign moved to the two numbers inside.

30-3 = 

27

Answer

27

Exercise #3

14343= 143-43=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive law and split the number 143 into a sum of 100 and 43.

The distributive law allows us to distribute, meaning, to split a number into two or more numbers. This actually allows us to work with smaller numbers and simplify the operation.

(100+43)43= (100+43)-43=

We will operate according to the order of operations

We can remove parentheses and perform addition and subtraction operations in any order since there are only addition and subtraction operations in the equation

100+4343=100+0=100 100+43-43=100+0=100

Therefore, the answer is option C - 100.

And now let's see the solution to the exercise in a centered format:

14343=(100+43)43=100+4343=100+0=100 143-43= (100+43)-43= 100+43-43=100+0=100

Answer

100

Exercise #4

133+30= 133+30=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to solve the question, we first use the distributive property for 133:

(100+33)+30= (100+33)+30=

We then use the distributive property for 33:

100+30+3+30= 100+30+3+30=

We rearrange the exercise into a more practical form:

100+30+30+3= 100+30+30+3=

We solve the middle exercise:

30+30=60 30+30=60

Which results in the final exercise as seen below:

100+60+3=163 100+60+3=163

Answer

163

Exercise #5

14070= 140-70=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to simplify the resolution process, we begin by using the distributive property for 140:

100+4070= 100+40-70=

We then rearrange the exercise using the substitution property into a more practical form:

10070+40= 100-70+40=

Lastly we solve the exercise from left to right:

10070=30 100-70=30

30+40=70 30+40=70

Answer

70

Exercise #6

Solve the exercise:

84:4=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

There are several ways to solve the following exercise,

We will present two of them.

In both ways, we begin by decomposing the number 84 into smaller units; 80 and 4.

44=1 \frac{4}{4}=1

Subsequently we are left with only the 80.

 

Continuing on with the first method, we will then further decompose 80 into smaller units; 10×8 10\times8

We know that:84=2 \frac{8}{4}=2

And therefore, we are able to reduce the exercise as follows: 104×8 \frac{10}{4}\times8

Eventually we are left with2×10 2\times10

which is equal to 20

In the second method, we decompose 80 into the following smaller units:40+40 40+40

We know that: 404=10 \frac{40}{4}=10

And therefore: 40+404=804=20=10+10 \frac{40+40}{4}=\frac{80}{4}=20=10+10

which is also equal to 20

Now, let's remember the 1 from the first step and add it in to our above answer:

20+1=21 20+1=21

Thus we are left with the following solution:844=21 \frac{84}{4}=21

Answer

21

Exercise #7

Solve the following exercise

?=24:12

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 24 into a sum of 12 and 12, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator.

Note - it's best to choose to split the number based on knowledge of multiples. In this case of the number 12 because we need to divide by 12.

Reminder - The distributive property of division actually allows us to split the larger term in a division problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

We will use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

24:12=(12+12):12 24:12=(12+12):12

(12+12):12=12:12+12:12 (12+12):12=12:12+12:12

12:12+12:12=1+1 12:12+12:12=1+1

1+1=2 1+1=2

Therefore the answer is section a - 2.

Answer

2

Exercise #8

Solve the following exercise

?=93:3

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 93 into a sum of 90 and 3, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator.

Note - it's best to choose to split the number based on knowledge of multiples. In this case, we use 3 because we need to divide by 3. Additionally, in this case, splitting by tens and ones is suitable and makes the division operation easier.

Reminder - The distributive property of division essentially allows us to split the larger term in the division problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

We will use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

93:3=(90+3):3 93:3=(90+3):3

(90+3):3=90:3+3:3 (90+3):3=90:3+3:3

90:3+3:3=30+1 90:3+3:3=30+1

30+1=31 30+1=31

Therefore, the answer is option B - 31.

Answer

31

Exercise #9

186:6= 186:6=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 186 into the sum of 180 and 6, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

Reminder - The distributive property of division actually allows us to split the larger number in a division problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

(180+6):6= (180+6):6=

We will use the formula of the distributive property (a+b):c=a:c+b:c (a+b):c=a:c+b:c

180:6+6:6= 180:6+6:6=

We will continue to solve according to the order of operations

30+1=31 30+1=31

Therefore the answer is option D - 31.

And now let's see the solution of the exercise centered:

186:6=(180+6):6=180:6+6:6=30+1=31 186:6= (180+6):6= 180:6+6:6= 30+1=31

Answer

31 31

Exercise #10

3×36= 3\times36=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of multiplication and split the number 36 into the sum of numbers 30 and 6. This allows us to work with smaller numbers and simplify the operation

Reminder - The distributive property of multiplication essentially allows us to split the larger term in a multiplication problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes multiplication easier and gives us the ability to solve the problem even without a calculator

3×(30+6)= 3×(30+6)=

We will use the distributive property formula a(b+c)=ab+ac a(b+c)=ab+ac

3×30+3×6= 3×30+3×6=

We will solve according to the order of operations

90+18=108 90+18= 108

Therefore the answer is option D - 108.

And now let's see the solution of the problem centralized:

3×36=3×(30+6)=(3×30)+(3×6)=90+18=108 3\times36=3\times(30+6)=(3\times30)+(3\times6)=90+18=108

Answer

108 108

Exercise #11

187×(85)= 187\times(8-5)=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We'll use the distributive property and multiply each term in parentheses by 187:

187×8187×5= 187\times8-187\times5=

Let's solve the first multiplication problem vertically, making sure to solve it correctly, meaning units times units, units times tens, units times hundreds.

187×8 187\\\times8

We get the result: 1496

Let's solve the second multiplication problem vertically, making sure to solve it correctly, meaning units times units, units times tens, units times hundreds.

187×5 187\\\times5

We get the result: 935

Now we'll get the problem:

1496935= 1496-935=

We'll solve this vertically as well. We'll make sure to align the digits properly, units under units, tens under tens, etc.:

1496935 1496\\-935

We'll subtract units from units, tens from tens, etc., and get the result: 561 561

Answer

561 561

Exercise #12

Solve the following equation:

(294):5= (29-4):5=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify this expression while maintaining the order of operations.

Let's start by solving what's in the parentheses:

294=25 29-4=25

Now we get the expression:

25:5= 25:5=

In the next step, to make the division easier, we'll break down 25 into two smaller factors that are divisible by 5:

(20+5):5= (20+5):5=

Let's divide each factor in the parentheses by 5:

(20:5)+(5:5)= (20:5)+(5:5)=

We'll solve each expression in the parentheses and obtain:

4+1=5 4+1=5

Answer

5 5

Exercise #13

17×7= 17\times7=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of multiplication and split the number 17 into the sum of numbers 10 and 7. This allows us to work with smaller numbers and simplify the operation

Reminder - The distributive property of multiplication essentially allows us to split the larger term in a multiplication problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes multiplication easier and gives us the ability to solve the problem even without a calculator

(10+7)×7= (10+7)\times7=

We will use the distributive property formula a(b+c)=ab+ac a(b+c)=ab+ac

10×7+7×7= 10\times7+7\times7=

We will solve according to the order of operations

70+49= 70+49=

Therefore the answer is option C - 119.

And now let's see the solution of the problem centralized:

17×7=(10+7)×7=(10×7)+(7×7)=70+49=119 17\times7=(10+7)\times7=(10\times7)+(7\times7)=70+49=119

Answer

119 119

Exercise #14

13×8= 13\times8=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of multiplication and break down the number 13 into a subtraction exercise with smaller numbers. This allows us to work with smaller numbers and simplify the operation

Reminder - The distributive property of multiplication actually allows us to break down the larger term in the multiplication exercise into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the multiplication operation easier and gives us the ability to solve the exercise even without a calculator

13×(102)= 13\times(10-2)=

We will use the distributive property formula a(b+c)=ab+ac a(b+c)=ab+ac

13×1013×2= 13\times10-13\times2=

We will solve according to the order of operations

13026= 130-26=

Therefore the answer is option D - 104.

And now let's see the solution of the exercise centralized:

13×8=13×(102)=13×1013×2=13026=104 13\times8=13\times(10-2)=13\times10-13\times2=130-26=104

Answer

104 104

Exercise #15

88:4= 88:4=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 88 into the sum of 80 and 8, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

Reminder - The distributive property of division actually allows us to split the larger term in the division problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

(80+8):4= (80+8):4=

We will use the formula of the distributive property (a+b):c=a:c+b:c (a+b):c=a:c+b:c

(80:4)+(8:4)= (80:4)+(8:4)=

We will continue to solve according to the order of operations

20+2=22 20+2=22

Therefore the answer is option C - 22.

And now let's see the solution of the exercise centralized:

88:4=(80+8):4=80:4+80:4=20+2=22 88:4=(80+8):4=80:4+80:4=20+2=22

Answer

22 22