How to Use the Distributive Property to Combine Like Terms

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 113 views

What is the Distributive Property?

The distributive property is a fundamental concept in algebra that allows us to expand and simplify expressions by multiplying each term inside the parentheses with the term outside. In this article, we will focus on using the distributive property to combine like terms in algebraic expressions.

What are Like Terms?

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, in the expression $2x^2 + 3x^2$ , the terms $2x^2$ and $3x^2$ are like terms because they both have the variable $x$ raised to the power of 2.

How to Use the Distributive Property to Combine Like Terms

To use the distributive property to combine like terms, we need to follow these steps:

Identify the like terms: The first step is to identify the like terms in the expression. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.
Group the like terms: Once we have identified the like terms, we need to group them together. This means that we need to separate the like terms from the other terms in the expression.
Apply the distributive property: The distributive property states that we can multiply each term inside the parentheses with the term outside. In this case, we can multiply each like term with the coefficient of the other like term.
Combine the like terms: Finally, we can combine the like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

Example: Using the Distributive Property to Combine Like Terms

Let's consider the expression $\frac{15}{16} q^3 + 9 - \frac{1}{2} q^3$ . We can use the distributive property to combine the like terms as follows:

$\begin{aligned} \frac{15}{16} q^3 + 9 - \frac{1}{2} q^3 & = \frac{15}{16} q^3 - \frac{1}{2} q^3 + 9 \\ & = \square q^3 + 9 \end{aligned}$

In this example, we have identified the like terms as $\frac{15}{16} q^3$ and $-\frac{1}{2} q^3$ . We have then grouped these like terms together and applied the distributive property to combine them.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you use the distributive property to combine like terms:

Make sure to identify the like terms correctly: The first step in using the distributive property to combine like terms is to identify the like terms. Make sure to do this correctly by checking the variable and the exponent.
Group the like terms together: Once you have identified the like terms, group them together. This will make it easier to apply the distributive property.
Apply the distributive property carefully: When applying the distributive property, make sure to multiply each term inside the parentheses with the term outside.
Combine the like terms carefully: Finally, combine the like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

Conclusion

Using the distributive property to combine like terms is an essential skill in algebra. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can use the distributive property to simplify complex expressions and solve equations. Remember to identify the like terms correctly, group them together, apply the distributive property carefully, and combine the like terms carefully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using the distributive property to combine like terms:

Not identifying the like terms correctly: Make sure to identify the like terms correctly by checking the variable and the exponent.
Not grouping the like terms together: Group the like terms together to make it easier to apply the distributive property.
Not applying the distributive property carefully: Make sure to multiply each term inside the parentheses with the term outside.
Not combining the like terms carefully: Finally, combine the like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

Real-World Applications

Using the distributive property to combine like terms has many real-world applications. Here are a few examples:

Simplifying complex expressions: The distributive property can be used to simplify complex expressions in algebra and calculus.
Solving equations: The distributive property can be used to solve equations in algebra and calculus.
Modeling real-world problems: The distributive property can be used to model real-world problems in physics, engineering, and economics.

Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems to help you use the distributive property to combine like terms:

Problem 1: Simplify the expression $2x^2 + 3x^2 - 4x^2$ using the distributive property.
Problem 2: Solve the equation $x^2 + 2x^2 = 12$ using the distributive property.
Problem 3: Simplify the expression $3x^3 - 2x^3 + 4x^3$ using the distributive property.

Conclusion

Q: What is the distributive property?

A: The distributive property is a fundamental concept in algebra that allows us to expand and simplify expressions by multiplying each term inside the parentheses with the term outside.

Q: How do I identify like terms?

A: To identify like terms, you need to check the variable and the exponent. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Q: What is the difference between like terms and unlike terms?

A: Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, while unlike terms are terms that have different variables or different exponents.

Q: How do I group like terms together?

A: To group like terms together, you need to separate the like terms from the other terms in the expression. This will make it easier to apply the distributive property.

Q: What is the distributive property formula?

A: The distributive property formula is:

a(b + c) = ab + ac

Q: How do I apply the distributive property to combine like terms?

A: To apply the distributive property to combine like terms, you need to multiply each term inside the parentheses with the term outside, and then combine the like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the distributive property to combine like terms?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using the distributive property to combine like terms include:

Not identifying the like terms correctly
Not grouping the like terms together
Not applying the distributive property carefully
Not combining the like terms carefully

Q: How do I simplify complex expressions using the distributive property?

A: To simplify complex expressions using the distributive property, you need to identify the like terms, group them together, apply the distributive property, and combine the like terms.

Q: How do I solve equations using the distributive property?

A: To solve equations using the distributive property, you need to apply the distributive property to both sides of the equation, and then combine the like terms.

Q: What are some real-world applications of the distributive property?

A: Some real-world applications of the distributive property include:

Simplifying complex expressions in algebra and calculus
Solving equations in algebra and calculus
Modeling real-world problems in physics, engineering, and economics

Q: How do I practice using the distributive property to combine like terms?

A: To practice using the distributive property to combine like terms, you can try the following:

Simplify complex expressions using the distributive property
Solve equations using the distributive property
Model real-world problems using the distributive property

Q: What are some resources available to help me learn the distributive property?

A: Some resources available to help you learn the distributive property include:

Online tutorials and videos
Algebra textbooks and workbooks
Online practice problems and quizzes