Distribute and Combine Like Terms

Front

What does it mean to distribute in algebra?

Back

To distribute means to multiply a term by each term inside a set of parentheses. For example, in 3(x + 4), you would calculate 3*x + 3*4.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 2x and 5x are like terms, while 2x and 3y are not.

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that are alike. For example, 3x + 5x = 8x.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term in a sum.

Front

Solve: –4 – 8(b + 9)

Back

–76 – 8b

Front

Solve: –2n + 5(–3 + 3n)

Back

13n – 15

Front

Solve: 10(p + 3) + 4(1 + 6p)

Back

34p + 34

Front

Solve: –6(x – 4) – 10(1 + 9x)

Back

–96x + 14

Front

Solve: 3x + 10(1 – 7x)

Back

–67x + 10

Front

What is the first step in solving an expression with parentheses?

Back

The first step is to apply the distributive property to eliminate the parentheses.