What is the distributive property?

a(b+c)=ab+ac a \cdot (b + c) = ab + ac

(a+b)(c+d)=ac+ad+bc+bd (a+b)(c +d) =ac+ad+bc+bd

The distributive property is a rule in mathematics that says that multiplying a number by the sum of two or more numbers will give us the same result as multiplying that number by the two numbers separately and then adding them together.

For example, 4x4 will give us the same result as (4x2) + (4x2).

How does this help us? Well, it allows us to distribute, or to split up a number into two or more smaller numbers that are easier to work with. When we're working with large numbers, or expressions with variables, the distributive property can save us time and a headache!

A - What is the distributive property

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

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 #2

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 #3

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 #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

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 #7

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 #8

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 #9

Solve:

72:6= 72:6=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 72 into a sum of 60 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 digit 6 because we need to divide by 6.

Note - splitting according to multiples of the dividing digit (in this case 6) by 10 matches and makes the division operation easier.

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

We will use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

72:6=(60+12):6 72:6=(60+12):6
(60+12):6=60:6+12:6 (60+12):6=60:6+12:6

60:6+12:6=10+2 60:6+12:6=10+2

10+2=12 10+2=12

Therefore the answer is option C - 12.

Answer

12

Exercise #10

Solve the exercise:

=102:2

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 102 into a sum of 100 and 2, 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 digit 2 because we need to divide by 2. 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 gives us the ability to solve the exercise without a calculator

We will use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

102:2=(100+2):2 102:2=(100+2):2

(100+2):2=100:2+2:2 (100+2):2=100:2+2:2

100:2+2:2=50+1 100:2+2:2=50+1

50+1=51 50+1=51

Therefore the answer is section a - 51.

Answer

51

Exercise #11

Solve the exercise:

=74:4

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to simplify the resolution process we begin by breaking down the number 74 into a subtraction exercise:

We choose numbers divisible by:

(806):4= (80-6):4=

Next we divide each of the terms inside of the parentheses by 4:

80:4=20 80:4=20

6:4=1.5 6:4=1.5

Lastly we subtract the result that we obtained:

201.5=18.5 20-1.5=18.5

Answer

18.5

Exercise #12

Solve the following exercise

=90:5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We use the distributive property of division to separate the number 90 between the sum of 50 and 40, which facilitates the division and gives us the possibility to solve the exercise without a calculator.

Keep in mind: it is beneficial to choose to split the number according to your knowledge of multiples. In this case into multiples of 5, because it is necessary to divide by 5.

Reminder: the distributive property of division actually allows us to separate the larger term in a division exercise into the sum or the difference of smaller numbers, which facilitates the division operation and gives us the possibility to solve the exercise without a using calculator.

We use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

90:5=(50+40):5 90:5=(50+40):5

(50+40):5=50:5+40:5 (50+40):5=50:5+40:5

50:5+40:5=10+8 50:5+40:5=10+8

10+8=18 10+8=18

Therefore, the answer is option c: 18

Answer

18

Exercise #13

11×34= 11\times34=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To make solving easier, we break down 11 into more comfortable numbers, preferably round ones.

We obtain:

(10+1)×34= (10+1)\times34=

We multiply 34 by each of the terms in parentheses:

(34×10)+(34×1)= (34\times10)+(34\times1)=

We solve the exercises in parentheses and obtain:

340+34=374 340+34=374

Answer

374

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

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