Simplify variable expressions using properties
Key notes:
You can use properties of operations to write equivalent expressions. Here are some common properties:
| Commutative property of addition | a+b=b+a |
| Commutative property of multiplication | ab=ba |
| Associative property of addition | (a+b)+c=a+(b+c) |
| Associative property of multiplication | (ab)c=a(bc) |
| Distributive property | a(b+c)=ab+ac |
Learn with an example
Complete the expressions.
Write each answer as a number, a variable, or the product of a number and a variable.
Look at the first two expressions.
Changing the order of factors does not change the product. These expressions are equivalent if the missing term is
4t
Look at the last two expressions.
These expressions are equivalent if the missing term is
12t
Complete the expressions.
Write each answer as a number, a variable, or the product of a number and a variable.
Look at the first two expressions.
Look at the last two expressions.
These expressions are equivalent if the missing term is
63q
let’s practice!
