Distributive Property Math Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
Expand and simplify 3(2x−5)+2(x+4)3(2x - 5) + 2(x + 4).

Solution

  1. 1
    Distribute 3: 3⋅2x−3⋅5=6x−153 \cdot 2x - 3 \cdot 5 = 6x - 15.
  2. 2
    Distribute 2: 2⋅x+2⋅4=2x+82 \cdot x + 2 \cdot 4 = 2x + 8.
  3. 3
    Combine like terms: 6x+2x=8x6x + 2x = 8x and −15+8=−7-15 + 8 = -7.
  4. 4
    Result: 8x−78x - 7.

Answer

8x−78x - 7
When multiple groups need distributing, expand each one separately and then combine like terms to simplify.

About Distributive Property

The rule that multiplying a sum equals the sum of individual products: a(b+c)=ab+aca(b+c) = ab + ac. It links multiplication and addition, allowing you to break apart or combine terms.

Learn more about Distributive Property →

More Distributive Property Examples

Example 1 easy

Expand [formula].

Example 3 medium

Expand [formula].

Example 4 easy

Use the distributive property to compute [formula] mentally.

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