Distributive Property•To illustrate the distributive property look at theproblem 3(2x-7).•This problem says 3 times 2x-7–or 3 of (2x-7).•Multiplying by 3 means add 2x-7 over and over.•2x-7+2x-7+2x-7•Simplify this by using the commutative property.2x+2x+2x-7-7-7=3(2x)+3(-7)
Distributive Property•To use the distributive property, multiplyeach term inside the parenthesis by themultiplier.
Watch out for…•exponent rules•multiplication when negatives are involved•combining like terms