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 Solving Equations with Distributive Property Worksheets

 

Solving Equations with Distributive Property Worksheets | 

The distributive property is a fundamental property in mathematics that allows you to multiply a number by a sum or difference. It states that for any three numbers a, b, and c, the equation a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c) holds true.

A linear equation is an equation in which the highest exponent of the variable present in the equation is one. When we draw the graph of the linear equation, it forms a straight line.

Example:   x + 3 = 7, which is a linear equation since the highest power of the variable, x present in the equation is 1.

How many solutions are there to a linear equation?

The solution of a linear equation is a value of the variable which satisfies the linear equation i.e. which makes the linear equation true.

A linear equation can have one, zero or infinite solution. We illustrate this with some examples.

  1. Linear equations with one solution.

Example 1: Consider the equation 7x – 35 = 0.

On solving we have, 7x = 35 or x = 5. The above linear equation is only true if x = 5.

Hence the given linear equation has only one solution i.e. x = 5.

 

  1. Linear equations with zero solution i.e. no solution.

Example 2: Consider the equation 7x – 35 = 5x + 2x – 27.

On solving we have, 7x – 35 = 7x – 27

Subtracting 7x from both sides, 7x – 7x – 35 = 7x – 7x – 27

We have -35 = -27, which is a false statement since it can’t be true for any value of the variable x.

Hence, the given linear equation has zero solution or the number of solutions is zero.

 

  1. Linear equations with infinite solutions.

Example 3: Consider the equation 25x – 35 = 5(5x + 4) – 55.

On solving we have, 25x – 35 = 25 x + 20 – 55 or 25x – 35 = 25x – 35.

Subtracting 25x from both sides, 25x – 25x – 35 = 25x – 25x – 35

We have -35 = -35, which is a true statement and it will be true for any value of the variable x. Hence the given linear equation has Infinite solutions or the number of solutions is infinite.

There are different forms of writing a linear equation. There is a way for solving the different forms of linear equations. For solving equations, we try to separate the variable to find the value of the variable. This is done using inverse operations. 

 if we add on left side of the equation,then same is added on the right side.A similar approach is followed,if we subtract,multiply or divide on one side, the same is applied on the other side.

Example: x + 3= 7

Subtract 3 from both sides , x + 3 – 3 – 7 – 3

So, x = 4

Here x=4 is the value of the unknown variable x, Which makes the equation true as

4 + 3 = 7. 

 

When should you use the distributive property when solving an equation?

Distributive property is used to solve linear equations before separating the variables and it makes the process of finding the solution easier.

1) a(b + c) = ab + ac

2) a(bc) = abac

 

Example 1: Solve for x: 3(x – 5) = 24

Using the distributive property, 3(x) – 3(5) = 24

3x – 15 = 24

Adding 15 on both sides, we have 3x – 15 + 15 = 24 + 15

3x = 39

Dividing both sides by 3,                                   x = 13

Example 2: Solve for x: 2(x + 7) + x = 26

Using the distributive property, 2(x) + 2(7) + x = 26

2x + x + 14 = 26 or 3x + 14 = 26

Adding 14 on both sides, 3x + 14 – 14 = 26 – 14

3x = 12

Dividing both sides by 3,x = \frac{12}{3} = 4 .

Example 3: A gym charges a $50 activation fee and $17 per month for a membership. If twice the total money you spend is $ 474, for how many months, do you have gym membership?

Let x be the number of months for which the membership of gym is taken.

Then we have, 2(17x + 50) = 474

Using the distributive property, 2(17x) = 2(50) = 474

34x + 100 – 100 = 474 – 100

Subtract 100 on both sides 34x = 374

Divide by 34 on both sides, x = \frac{374}{34} = 11

Hence the gym membership was taken for 11 months.

Exercising

Check Point

Solve each of the equation using distributive property and combining like terms.

  1. 2(x + 7) + 5x = 28
  2. 2(y – 1) + 3y = 3
  3. 2(3z – 1) + 2(4z + 5) = 8
  4. 8 + 3(x + 2) = 5(x – 1)
  5. A gift pack contains 3 identical t-shirts and a hat. If the hat costs $21 and Martin buys two such gift packs for $120. Find the cost of each t-shirt.
  6. A company sells their laptops at a price of $50 more from the manufacturing cost. If they sell 20 laptops for a total cost of $3,000, find the manufacturing cost of each laptop.
  7. A TV sports channel subscription costs $10 per month plus a $25 sign-up fee. If Martin paid a bill of $75, how many months subscription did he purchase?
Answer Key
  1. x = 2
  2. y = 1
  3. z = 0
  4. x = 19/2
  5. Cost of each t-shirt = $13
  6. Manufacturing cost of each laptop = $100.
  7. Martin purchased 5 months subscription.
How do I apply the distributive property to equations?

To apply the distributive property to an equation, you need to multiply each term inside the parentheses by the number outside the parentheses. This means distributing the multiplication across the terms within the parentheses.

Can the distributive property be used with addition and subtraction?

Yes, the distributive property can be used with both addition and subtraction. You can distribute a multiplication operation over a sum or difference.

Can the distributive property be applied to variables or algebraic expressions?

The distributive property can be applied to variables or algebraic expressions as well. It allows you to simplify and expand expressions by multiplying each term by the coefficient outside the parentheses.

Can the distributive property be reversed?

Yes, the distributive property can be reversed. This is known as factoring out a common factor. If you have an expression with common factors, you can factor them out using the distributive property in reverse.

Can the distributive property be used with division?

No, the distributive property only applies to multiplication. It cannot be used with division.

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