Distributive Law

MATHEMATICS – GRADE 8
DISTRIBUTIVE LAW
OBJECTIVE:
 Simplify algebraic expressions by removing brackets using the distributive law 𝑎(𝑏 ± 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 ± 𝑎𝑐
Introduction
The distributive property tells us how to solve expressions in the form of 𝑎(𝑏 + 𝑐). The distributive property is sometimes
called the distributive law of multiplication over addition/subtraction.
Normally, when we see an expression like this…
𝟒(𝟖 + 𝟑)
…we just evaluate what’s in the parentheses first, then solve it:
𝟒(𝟖 + 𝟑)
= 𝟒(𝟏𝟏)
= 𝟒𝟒
This is following the official “order of operations” rule, PEMDAS or BOMDAS, which we’ve learnt in the past. However, using
the distributive property, we multiply the ‘4’ first as shown below:
𝟒(𝟖 + 𝟑)
= 𝟒×𝟖 + 𝟒×𝟑
= 𝟑𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐
= 𝟒𝟒
Essentially, we distribute the 4 to the 8, then to the 3. Then we need to remember to multiply first, before doing the
addition! Notice that we got the same answer, 44, with both approaches!
But, why do we need the distributive law when we could have easily evaluated the brackets first?
This is preparation for when we have variables instead of numbers inside the parentheses. We usually use the distributive
property when the terms inside the parentheses can’t be added because they’re not like terms. In other words, when the
expression in parentheses cannot be simplified any further, we apply the distributive law. Ensure that apply the outside
number the parentheses (the multiplier) to all the terms inside the parentheses/brackets.
The distributive law of multiplication over addition/subtraction is given by:
𝒂(𝒃 ± 𝒄) = 𝒂𝒃 ± 𝒂𝒄
Fun Fact: We can use the distributive law to help us solve harder multiplication problems mentally:
For example: Without using a calculator, find 6 × 58.
Solution: We can rewrite this problem as 6 × (50 + 8) then apply the distributive law:
6 × (50 + 8) = 6 × 50 + 6 × 8 = 300 + 48 = 348

Here are some examples involving algebraic expressions:
Expand and simplify the following:
i. 4(𝑎 + 2𝑏) = 4𝑎 + 8𝑏
ii. −3(2 − 𝑔) = −6 + 3𝑔
iii. 𝑥(3𝑥 − 1) = 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥
iv. 7(3𝑎 + 2𝑏 − 1) = 21𝑎 + 14𝑏 − 7
v. −2𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑦) = −2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦
Note: When the multiplier is negative, the signs inside the bracket are changed when the bracket is removed.
Activity 1: Expand and simplify the following:

i. 1(𝑔 − 7ℎ)
ii. −1(3 + 2𝑔)
iii. 2(𝑏 + 𝑔)
iv. −4(𝑔 − 𝑥)
v. 5(𝑎 + 𝑏) + 2(𝑐 − 𝑑)
vi. −(2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 4)
Activity 1 – Solution:
i. 𝑔 − 7ℎ
ii. −2𝑔 − 3 𝑜𝑟 − 3 − 2𝑔
iii. 2𝑏 + 2𝑔
iv. −4𝑔 + 4𝑥 𝑜𝑟 4𝑥 − 4𝑔
v. 5𝑎 + 5𝑏 + 2𝑐 − 2𝑑
vi. −2𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 4
Additional Examples: Expand and simplify the following:
i. 15 − (3 − 𝑥) = 15 − 3 + 𝑥 = 12 + 𝑥
ii. 𝑟(𝑟 − 7) + 6 = 𝑟 2 − 7𝑟 + 6
iii. 𝑝 − 4(𝑝 − 3) = 𝑝 − 4𝑝 + 12 = −3𝑝 + 12 𝑜𝑟 12 − 3𝑝
iv. −4 + 3(𝑘 − 5) = −4 + 3𝑘 − 15 = 3𝑘 − 19 𝑜𝑟 − 19 + 3𝑘
v. 15 − (3 − 𝑥) = 15 − 3 + 𝑥 = 12 + 𝑥
vi. 3(6a + 3b) − 5(2𝑎 − 𝑏) = 18𝑎 + 9𝑏 − 10𝑎 + 5𝑏 = 8𝑎 + 14𝑏
Activity 2: Simplify the following:

i. 8𝑎 + 5(2𝑎 − 𝑏)
ii. −4(3 + 𝑟) + 9𝑟
iii. 9𝑥 − 5𝑥(−4𝑥 + 3) = 9𝑥 + 20𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 = 20𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 𝑜𝑟 − 6𝑥 + 20𝑥 2
iv. 𝑦(𝑦 − 3) − 6(𝑦 − 3)
v. 7𝑎(−3𝑎 + 3𝑏) − 12𝑎𝑏
Activity 2 – Solution
i. 18𝑎 − 5𝑏
ii. 5𝑟 − 12 𝑜𝑟 − 12 + 5𝑟
iii. 20𝑥 2 − 6𝑥
iv. 𝑦 2 − 9𝑦 + 18
v. −21𝑎2 + 9𝑎𝑏
Examples – Word Problems
The goal of this exercise is to determine numerical/algebraic expressions where you can apply the distributive property. Do
not focus solely on getting answers but instead, try to understand each problem and determine the most effective method
for solving.
1. I think of a number 𝑥 and add 𝑦 to it. I multiply the result by 5. Find an expression to determine the final answer.
Solution: 5(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 5𝑥 + 5𝑦
2. The bookshop sells one pencil for 70 cents and one eraser for 45 cents.
a. Write a numerical expression to represent the amount of money the bookshop makes if 3 students each
buy a pencil and an eraser.
Solution: 3(0.70 + 0.45)
b. Hence, evaluate the expression.
Solution:
Method 1: 3(0.70 + 0.45) = 3(1.15) = $3.45
Method 2: 3(0.70 + 0.45) = 3(0.70) + 3(0.45) = 2.10 + 1.35 = $3.45
3. Two friends wish to start a jewelry business. They are trying to determine how many bracelets they can craft
altogether in 𝑥 weeks if one friend can make 20 bracelets per week and the other can make 16 bracelets per week.
Can you derive the algebraic expression they desire?
Solution: 𝒙(𝟐𝟎 + 𝟏𝟔) = 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟔𝒙 = 𝟑𝟔𝒙
Activity 3: Word Problems
1. Five people visited a local restaurant to get some lunch. A burger costs $6 and a bottle of water costs $2. If all five
people ordered a burger and a bottle of water, write a numerical expression to which the distributive property may
be applied to show the amount of money the restaurant made for this order.
𝟓(𝟔 + 𝟐) = $𝟒𝟎
2. Each row in a classroom has 3 girls and 2 boys. If there people 5 rows in the class, write a numerical expression to
which the distributive property may be applied to show the total number of students in the class.
𝟓(𝟑 + 𝟐) = 𝟐𝟓 students
3. Tom and Jerry are preparing to run a marathon. Tom runs x miles each week while Jerry runs y miles twice per
week. Write an algebraic expression to which the distributive property may be applied, showing the combined miles
Tom and Jerry run in 4 weeks.
𝟒(𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚) = 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟖𝒚 miles
4. Two right-angled triangles with the same height, are combined to form a rectangle as shown below. Write an
algebraic expression to which the distributive property may be applied to determine the area of the rectangle.
𝒂(𝒂 + 𝟐) = 𝒂𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂 units
5. To build a computer, you need to buy a motherboard for $120, a CPU for $100, RAM memory for $45 dollars and a
power supply for $50.
a. Write an algebraic expression to which the distributive property may be applied to determine the cost for
building 𝑛 computers.
𝒏(𝟏𝟐𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎 + 𝟒𝟓 + 𝟓𝟎) = 𝟑𝟏𝟓𝒏 dollars
b. Hence, determine the cost of building 10 computers?
𝟑𝟏𝟓(𝟏𝟎) = $𝟑, 𝟏𝟓𝟎
6. Two rectangular gardens have the same width of 10 feet. However, the length of one garden is 20 feet while the
other is 30 feet. Write a numerical expression to which the distributive property may be applied to determine the
area of the two gardens combined.
The diagram below is a sketch of the garden.
30 feet 20 feet
10 feet
To find the total area of the gardens we can use the following formula:
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟏𝟎(𝟑𝟎 + 𝟐𝟎)𝒇𝒕 = (𝟏𝟎 × 𝟑𝟎) + (𝟏𝟎 × 𝟐𝟎) = 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝒇𝒕

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MATHEMATICS – GRADE 8

For example: Without using a calculator, find 6 × 58.

6 × (50 + 8) = 6 × 50 + 6 × 8 = 300 + 48 = 348

Activity 1: Expand and simplify the following:

Activity 2: Simplify the following:

Activity 3: Word Problems

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