Using the Distributive Property to Combine Like Terms and Solve Equations

Objectives:

• Students will review how to simplify using the distributive property.

• Students will review the rules of combining like terms.

• Students will learn how to use the distributive property and combining like terms to solve equations.

• Students will learn how to check their answers.

• Students will practice solving equations.

Suggested Grades:

Sixth Grade - Seventh Grade - Eighth Grade - Ninth Grade - including special education students

Lesson Procedure:

Print the classroom lesson plan and worksheet questions (see below).

Lesson Excerpt:

I. Introduction

- "Today we are going to continue our work solving equations, but we are going to be using the distributive property to combine like terms and solve an equation for the missing variable."
- "Before we begin, let's just take a minute to review the distributive property."
- "Here is an example, who can explain how we use the distributive property to solve this equation?"
- On Board: 2(x - 4) = 16
- Allow student participation. Fill in any information that the students miss. Write out the steps on the board and help the students to talk through the steps as they go.

Continued...