The Distributive Property, Part 2

Grade 6 Unit 6: Expressions And Equations The Distributive Property, Part 2

Warmup

Activity #1

Discover a Common Error in the Application of the Distributive Property .

In this activity, you are going to use the applet below to see a common error made by learners in applying the distributive property. Just follow the instructions below to find that out.

Check the “Simplify” box and move all the sliders to “Show” position. Our goal here is to find out which of the expressions are equivalent.
Check the “Substitute” box to put in arbitrary numbers.
Check the “Evaluate” box.
Note which answers are the same.
Check the “Show sliders for variables” to use different numbers.
Move the green slider up and down to use different values of a. Note which expressions give the same answers.

The right panel is included just to show you a common error with using the distributive property.

Activity #2

Practice the Distributive Property by Playing a Game.

Practice the game in the applet below to see how many possible combinations you can make with the digits 1 to 9. Keep in mind that each digit can be used only once.
When you get a possible set, keep trying to find other sets using the next applet.
Make sure you compare your result well to avoid a repetition. Just follow the instructions inside the box.

Make another true equation that is different from your first one.

Make another true equation that is different from your first one.

Activity #3

Application of the Distributive Property to Solve Area Problems.

In this activity, you are going to use the distributive property to find the area of a shape that has been partitioned. Follow the instructions below to find the area of each rectangle.

For each rectangle below, write expressions for the length and width and two expressions for the total area.
Record them in the table. Check your expressions in each row.

Challenge #1

Here is a rectangle below.