Here are the steps to solve 2(x – 3) using algebra tiles:
Draw x and –3 tiles. Then place 2 sets of those tiles side by side.
x –3 x –3
Group the like tiles.
2x –6
So, 2(x – 3) = 2x – 6
The distributive property allows you to multiply a single term outside parentheses over each term inside. This is the same process as using algebra tiles to model the multiplication.
1. Use the distributive property to write each expression as a single term.
a) 4(x + 3) = _____________________ b) 3(2x