The Distributive Property

My Notes Level 1 Support Level 2 Standard Level 3 Enrichment

Today's objectives

Content Objective: I can use the distributive property to expand and factor expressions.

Language Objective: I can explain my steps using the words distributive property, factor, expand, and equivalent.

📖 See Learn It for the explanation and worked examples, and the Vocab tab for the words. These are your notes to fill in and keep.

✏️ Fill in each blank as we go. Use the Word Bank to help you.

📚 Word Bank — fill each blank with the best word

👆 Tap any word to see what it means and a picture.

Level 3: try the blanks from memory first, then check the bank.

1The rule that a(b + c) = ab + ac is the .
2To rewrite a sum as a product, like 3x + 12 = 3(x + 4), is to .
3To multiply out a product over a sum, like 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12, is to .
4Two expressions that always have the same value are .
5A number multiplied by a variable is a .
6Terms with the same variable part are .

Write About the Math Guided ESOL writing

Use the support level you need. Every level answers the same math question.

1. Understand the Question

explain

When you expand 5(2x + 4), why must the 5 multiply BOTH terms inside the parentheses?

Your job: Answer the question. Use math evidence. Explain how the evidence proves your answer.Responde la pregunta. Usa evidencia matemática. Explica cómo la evidencia demuestra tu respuesta.

2. Plan Your Math Words

Check at least two words you will use.

Distributive Property — Multiplying a number by everything inside the parentheses: a(b + c) = ab + ac.Propiedad distributiva — Multiplicar un número por todo lo que está dentro del paréntesis: a(b + c) = ab + ac. Factor — A number that gets multiplied by another number.Factor — Un número que se multiplica por otro número. Expand — To multiply out the parentheses in an expression.Desarrollar — Multiplicar lo que está dentro del paréntesis en una expresión. Equivalent — Expressions that always have the same value.Equivalente — Expresiones que siempre tienen el mismo valor. Coefficient — The number in front of a letter, like the 3 in 3x.Coeficiente — El número frente a una letra, como el 3 en 3x.

Say it first: Say your idea to a partner or quietly to yourself before you write.Di tu idea a un compañero o en voz baja antes de escribir.

I distribute the 5 to ___ and ___, so 5(2x + 4) = ___.Distribuyo el 5 a ___ y ___, así 5(2x + 4) = ___.

3. Build Your Explanation

Model the parts: This model shows the parts of an explanation. It does not answer your writing question.

Claim: The distributive property multiplies the 3 by each item, giving the same total.

Evidence: Students explain the 3 distributes to both the ticket and the snack (3 × 15 + 3 × 5 = 45 + 15 = 60), matching 3 × 20, and use the word equivalent.

Reasoning: This evidence connects the definition of distributive property to the mathematical claim.

Start

Most language support

Complete the frames. Use the word bank.Completa las oraciones. Usa el banco de palabras.

I distribute the 5 to ___ and ___, so 5(2x + 4) = ___.Distribuyo el 5 a ___ y ___, así 5(2x + 4) = ___.
Both terms get multiplied because ___.Los dos términos se multiplican porque ___.

Build

Some language support

Write two connected sentences. Use because, so, or but.Escribe dos oraciones conectadas. Usa porque, entonces o pero.

My claim is ___.Mi afirmación es ___.
I know because ___.Lo sé porque ___.
So ___.Entonces ___.

Explain

Light language support

Write a claim, give math evidence, and explain your reasoning.Escribe una afirmación, da evidencia matemática y explica tu razonamiento.

My claim is ___.Mi afirmación es ___.
My math evidence is ___.Mi evidencia matemática es ___.
This proves ___ because ___.Esto demuestra ___ porque ___.

4. Check Your Explanation

I answered the question.Respondí la pregunta. I used math evidence: numbers, an equation, a model, or a comparison.Usé evidencia matemática: números, una ecuación, un modelo o una comparación. I explained how the evidence proves my answer.Expliqué cómo la evidencia demuestra mi respuesta. I used at least two math words.Usé por lo menos dos palabras matemáticas. I reread complete sentences and punctuation.Volví a leer mis oraciones completas y la puntuación.