Distributive Property Calculator


Answer:

Use this calculator to expand algebraic expressions using the distributive property until you get the simplest version of the expression.

Steps to use the distributive property calculator

Step 1: Write any algebraic expression in the input box. Use the keypad to write more complex expressions.

Step 2: Click “Expand” to apply the distributive property until you get a simplified version of the expression.

Step 3: The solution will be displayed at the bottom. If the calculator doesn’t display a solution, make sure the expression was entered correctly.

Use the input box correctly

Make sure the expression entered is correct. You can use the keypad shown above the input box to type exponents, fractions, or radicals.

Also, you can write expressions considering the following:

  • Exponents can be written using the ^ sign. For example, x^2+x^3.
  • Fractions can be written using the / sign. The input box will display the fraction correctly.
  • Click anywhere to edit the expression.
  • Use parentheses to group the terms correctly.

What is the distributive property?

The distributive property is a property of multiplication that indicates that a multiplication of the form a(b+c) is equivalent to ab+bc.

This means that when we have a multiplication of a term by a sum of terms, we can distribute the multiplication to each addend.

For example, if we have 2(x+2), this is equal to 2(x)+2(2) = 2x+4.

EXAMPLES:

  • Using the distributive property in 4(2x+3), we have(4)(2x)+(4)(3) = 8x+12.
  • By applying the distributive property in 2a(3b+4), we have (2a)(3b)+(2a)(4) = 6ab+8a.
  • Using the distributive property in 3x(x+5), we have(3x)(x)+(3x)(5) = 3x²+15x.

If you want to learn more about the distributive property, visit our main article.

How to use the distributive property?

We can use the distributive property by expanding the multiplication of a term to the addition of two or more terms inside parentheses. This allows us to write simpler versions of an expression.

For example, the expression 2(x+2)+3(2x+5) can be simplified as follows:

2(x+2)+3(2x+5)

= 2(x)+2(2)+3(2x)+3(5)

= 2x+4+6x+15

= 8x+19

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