Using the Distributive Property
Practice Problems

Hopefully you've read and understood the distributive property lesson. If you are ready, let's move on and practice our skill!

Directions: Use the distributive property to simplify each expression. Refer back to the distributive property examples if you need help.

NOTE: The answers are down below the practice problems. Make sure you check your answers carefully!

1. 5(x+6) =

2. 3(2x+1) =

3. 2(2x-3) =

4. 6(x-4) =

5. 8(2x-3) =

6.    -3(x + 4)=

7.    -2(3x - 1)=

8.    -10(2x + 1/5 )=

9.    -18(x - 2/3)=

10.    1/2(x -4) =

Answer Key

1.  5x + 30

2.  6x +3

3.  4x - 6

4.  6x - 24

5.  16x - 24

6.  -3x - 12

    Since -3(4) = -12, the correct form is minus 12.

7.  -6x +2

     (-2)(-1)= 2 since 2 is positive, the correct form is plus 2

8.  -20x - 2

    (-10)(1/5) = -2, the correct form is minus 2.

9.  -18x + 12

    (-18)(-2/3) = 12, the correct form is plus 12.

10.  1/2x - 2

    (1/2)(-4) = -2, the correct form is minus 2.

Ok... The distributive property isn't so bad is it? If you're ready, you can move onto simplifying algebraic expressions!

If you didn't do so well on the distributive property, you may need to go back and review Adding Integers, Subtracting Integers, or Multiplying and Dividing Integers.