Distributive Property Worksheet

Students split numbers in area models, expand and factor expressions with variables, and use the distributive property for a cost story and mental maths.

Format

Only the colour PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.

At a glance
Years
6–7
Pages
3
A4
Type
Worksheet
Includes
Answer key
Answer key included

Last updated

The distributive property, from area models to algebra

Splitting 8 × 57 into 8 × 50 and 8 × 7 on a rectangle shows students why a(b + c) = ab + ac works. They draw the same kind of split for six products. Page 2 moves to variables: six expressions to expand, two with a negative number outside the parentheses, such as −2(5k − 4), and four to factor, including 18x + 12. A story about 6 art kits has students write the cost both ways. The answer key accepts any correct area-model split.

Bring it into your classroom.

Students will

Learning objectives

  • Multiply a one-digit number by a larger number by splitting it in an area model.
  • Expand expressions such as −3(a + 6), including negative and decimal factors.
  • Factor the greatest common factor out of a two-term expression.
  • Write the same total two ways using the distributive property.
From the creator

Teaching tips

1

Watch item 9, −3(a + 6): students often write −3a + 18, applying the negative to the first term only. Have them write −3 × a and −3 × 6 as separate steps first.

2

On the factor items, students often pull out a common factor that isn't the greatest, such as 3(6x + 4) for 18x + 12. Ask whether the two terms left inside still share a factor.

Differentiation

Meet every learner.

Ways to adjust the three parts for different students.

Support

Numbers before letters

  • Do the 6 × 38 area model together, splitting 38 into 30 and 8.
  • Leave out items 9 and 11, which have a negative number outside the parentheses.
  • List the factors of each number in Part 3 before students look for the greatest common factor.
On level

Teach as written

  • Both student pages, starting from 8 × 57.
  • Students check each factored answer by expanding it again.
Extension

Longer expressions

  • Expand expressions with three terms inside, such as 4(2x − 3y + 5).
  • Make a mental maths card for multiplying by 101 and solve three of its problems.

Curriculum alignment.

Each one is checked against the official document. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.

Australian Curriculum: Mathematics · Year 8
AC9M8A01Expand and factorise using the distributive property

Students expand expressions such as 4(2y − 7), factor out the greatest common factor from expressions such as 18x + 12, and use the distributive property for mental multiplication and an area model; simplifying and rearranging expressions and the other number properties are not practised.

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Used it in class? Your notes help another teacher plan.

Distributive Property Worksheet · 3 pages
Distributive Property Worksheet: a worked 8 × 57 area model beside the a(b + c) rule, then six two-part area model rectangles to fill in and multiply
Page 1 of 3 · Page 1
Distributive Property Worksheet: expressions to expand, expressions to factor by the GCF, an art kits cost problem and a times-99 mental maths trick
Page 2 of 3 · Page 2
Distributive Property Worksheet: answer key tables with the area model splits and products, expanded and factored expressions, art kits and mental maths
Page 3 of 3 · Page 3
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