Distributive Property Practice Problems for 7th Grade Math

Master the distributive property with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to simplify algebraic expressions using multiplication and division exercises for middle school.

📚What You'll Master in This Practice Session
  • Apply distributive property to simplify multiplication with large numbers like 7 × 96
  • Break down division problems using distributive property such as 294 ÷ 3
  • Solve algebraic expressions with variables like (X + 5) × (X + 6)
  • Work with two sets of parentheses using (Z + T) × (X + Y) format
  • Combine like terms after distributing multiplication across addition and subtraction
  • Solve real-world word problems involving equal groups and distribution

Understanding The Distributive Property for 7th Grade

Complete explanation with examples

Solving algebraic equations is made easier by understanding some basic rules and properties. A few examples of properties that we will learn to use in the seventh grade are: the distributive, associative and commutative properties. These properties get learned and relearned throughout our time in school, each time adding new layers to or understanding. Today we will focus on the distributive property. We will go into depth on what it is and how to use it, and we will briefly get to know the associative and commutative properties as well.

What is the distributive property?

The distributive property is a method to simplify multiplication and division exercises. Essentially, it breaks down expressions into smaller, easier to manage terms.

Let's see some examples:

  • 6×26=6×(20+6)=120+36=1566 \times 26 = 6 \times (20 + 6) = 120 + 36 = 156
  • 7×32=7×(30+2)=210+14=2247 \times 32 = 7 \times (30 + 2) = 210 + 14 = 224
  • 104:4=(100+4):4=100:4+4:4=25+1=26104:4 = (100+4):4 = 100:4 + 4:4 = 25+1 = 26

If we look at the following examples, we can see that we have broken down the larger number into several smaller numbers that are more manageable. The value is the same as before, but now we can distribute a complex operation into several easy operations.

The distributive property can be described as:

Z×(X+Y)=ZX+ZYZ \times (X + Y) = ZX + ZY

Z×(X−Y)=ZX−ZYZ \times (X - Y) = ZX - ZY

A - The Distributive Property for Seventh Graders

Detailed explanation

Practice The Distributive Property for 7th Grade

Test your knowledge with 24 quizzes

\( 9\times33= \)

Examples with solutions for The Distributive Property for 7th Grade

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

94+72= 94+72=

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to simplify the calculation , we first break down 94 and 72 into smaller and preferably round numbers.

We obtain the following exercise:

90+4+70+2= 90+4+70+2=

Using the associative property, we then rearrange the exercise to be more functional.

90+70+4+2= 90+70+4+2=

We solve the exercise in the following way, first the round numbers and then the small numbers.

90+70=160 90+70=160

4+2=6 4+2=6

Which results in the following exercise:

160+6=166 160+6=166

Answer:

166

Video Solution
Exercise #2

133+30= 133+30=

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to solve the question, we first use the distributive property for 133:

(100+33)+30= (100+33)+30=

We then use the distributive property for 33:

100+30+3+30= 100+30+3+30=

We rearrange the exercise into a more practical form:

100+30+30+3= 100+30+30+3=

We solve the middle exercise:

30+30=60 30+30=60

Which results in the final exercise as seen below:

100+60+3=163 100+60+3=163

Answer:

163

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Solve the following exercise

?=93:3

Step-by-Step Solution

We will use the distributive property of division and split the number 93 into a sum of 90 and 3. This ultimately renders the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator.

Note - it's best to choose to split the number based on knowledge of multiples. In this case, we use 3 because we need to divide by 3. Additionally splitting by tens and ones is suitable and makes the division operation easier.

Reminder - The distributive property of division essentially allows us to split the larger term in the division problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

We will use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

93:3=(90+3):3 93:3=(90+3):3

(90+3):3=90:3+3:3 (90+3):3=90:3+3:3

90:3+3:3=30+1 90:3+3:3=30+1

30+1=31 30+1=31

Therefore, the answer is option B - 31.

Answer:

31

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Solve the following exercise

?=24:12

Step-by-Step Solution

Apply the distributive property of division and proceed to split the number 24 into a sum of 12 and 12, which ultimately renders the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator.

Note - it's best to choose to split the number based on knowledge of multiples. In this case of the number 12 because we need to divide by 12.

Reminder - The distributive property of division actually allows us to split the larger term in a division problem into a sum or difference of smaller numbers, which makes the division operation easier and allows us to solve the exercise without a calculator

We will use the formula of the distributive property

 (a+b):c=a:c+b:c 

24:12=(12+12):12 24:12=(12+12):12

(12+12):12=12:12+12:12 (12+12):12=12:12+12:12

12:12+12:12=1+1 12:12+12:12=1+1

1+1=2 1+1=2

Therefore the answer is section a - 2.

Answer:

2

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Solve the exercise:

84:4=

Step-by-Step Solution

There are several ways to solve the following exercise,

We will present two of them.

In both ways, we begin by decomposing the number 84 into smaller units; 80 and 4.

44=1 \frac{4}{4}=1

Subsequently we are left with only the 80.

 

Continuing on with the first method, we will then further decompose 80 into smaller units; 10×8 10\times8

We know that:84=2 \frac{8}{4}=2

And therefore, we are able to reduce the exercise as follows: 104×8 \frac{10}{4}\times8

Eventually we are left with2×10 2\times10

which is equal to 20

In the second method, we decompose 80 into the following smaller units:40+40 40+40

We know that: 404=10 \frac{40}{4}=10

And therefore: 40+404=804=20=10+10 \frac{40+40}{4}=\frac{80}{4}=20=10+10

which is also equal to 20

Now, let's remember the 1 from the first step and add it in to our above answer:

20+1=21 20+1=21

Thus we are left with the following solution:844=21 \frac{84}{4}=21

Answer:

21

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distributive property in 7th grade math?

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The distributive property allows you to multiply a number by a sum or difference by distributing the multiplication to each term inside parentheses. For example, 6 × (20 + 6) = 6 × 20 + 6 × 6 = 120 + 36 = 156.

How do you use distributive property with variables?

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With variables, you distribute multiplication across each term in parentheses. For instance, (X + 5) × (X + 6) becomes X² + 6X + 5X + 30, which simplifies to X² + 11X + 30 by combining like terms.

Can you use distributive property for division problems?

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Yes! You can break down the dividend into smaller, more manageable numbers. For example, 294 ÷ 3 = (300 - 6) ÷ 3 = 300 ÷ 3 - 6 ÷ 3 = 100 - 2 = 98.

What's the difference between distributive and commutative properties?

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The distributive property involves distributing multiplication over addition or subtraction within parentheses. The commutative property simply changes the order of terms (like 2 + 6 = 6 + 2) without involving parentheses or distribution.

How do you solve two parentheses using distributive property?

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Multiply each term in the first parentheses by each term in the second parentheses. For (X + 2) × (X + 3): multiply X by X and 3, then multiply 2 by X and 3, giving X² + 3X + 2X + 6 = X² + 5X + 6.

What are common mistakes when using distributive property?

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Common errors include: 1) Forgetting to distribute to all terms inside parentheses, 2) Making sign errors with subtraction, 3) Not combining like terms after distributing, and 4) Confusing distributive with other properties like associative or commutative.

When should 7th graders use distributive property?

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Use distributive property when: multiplying large numbers (like 7 × 96), simplifying algebraic expressions with parentheses, solving word problems involving equal groups, and breaking down complex calculations into easier steps.

How does distributive property help with mental math?

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It breaks large numbers into friendlier calculations. Instead of computing 15 × 9 directly, you can use 15 × (10 - 1) = 15 × 10 - 15 × 1 = 150 - 15 = 135, making mental calculation much easier.

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