Solve equations using the distributive property 

Learn to solve equations using the distributive property with the following three good examples. 

Example #1

Solve 2(x - 4) = 10 using the distributive property

2(x - 4) = 10

Use the distributive property

2x - 8 = 10

Isolate x by adding 8 to both sides of the equation

2x - 8 = 10

2x - 8 + 8 = 10 + 8

2x = 18

Divide each side by 2

2x/2 = 18/2

x = 9

Example #2

Solve 6(x - 2) = 2(9 - 2x) using the distributive property

6(x - 2) = 2(9 - 2x)

Use the distributive property

6x - 12 = 18 - 4x

Isolate x by adding 12 to both sides of the equations and by adding 4x to both sides of the equations.

6x + 4x - 12 + 12 = 18 + 12 - 4x + 4x 

6x + 4x = 18 + 12  

Simplify 

10x = 30

Divide both sides by 10

10x/10 = 30/10

x = 3

Example #3

Solve -2x + 4(x + 3) = 2(-3x + -6) using the distributive property

-2x + 4(x + 3) = 2(-3x + -6)

Use the distributive property

-2x + 4x + 12 = -6x + -12

Isolate x by subtracting 12 from each side of the equation and by adding 6x to both sides of the equation

-2x + 4x + 12 - 12 + 6x = -6x + 6x + -12 - 12

-2x + 4x + 6x = -12 - 12

Simplify

8x = -24

Divide both sides by 8

8x/8 = -24/8

x = -3

Recent Articles

  1. Calculate the Conditional Probability using a Contingency Table

    Mar 29, 23 10:19 AM

    Contingency table
    Learn to calculate the conditional probability using a contingency table. This contingency table can help you understand quickly and painlessly.

    Read More

  2. Rational Numbers - Definition and Examples

    Mar 15, 23 07:45 AM

    Rational numbers
    To learn about rational numbers, write their decimal expansion, and recognize rational numbers that are repeating decimals and terminating decimals.

    Read More

Tough algebra word problems

100 Tough Algebra Word Problems.

If you can solve these problems with no help, you must be a genius!

Math quizzes

 Recommended

Math vocabulary quizzes