Distributive Property Practice

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Warm-up — Partition and Multiply

WALT: Use the distributive property to make multiplication easier.
Success criteria: I can break a number into parts and use addition to multiply.

1a. 3 × 8. Break 8 into 5 + 3, then use the distributive property to show the working and find the answer.

1b. 5 × 6. Break 6 into 4 + 2, then use the distributive property to show the working and find the answer.

1c. 4 × 7. Try two different partitions for 7 (for example 3 + 4 and 5 + 2). Show both calculations to check they give the same answer.

1d. Which of the following show the distributive property for 4 × 7? Check all that apply:

4 × (3 + 4)

4 × 3 + 4 × 4

4 × 2 + 4 × 6

7 × (4 + 0)

✏️ Part 2: Word Problems and Challenge

Remember: Show the multiplication sentence using distributive property, then calculate. Use the maths box to show working. If helpful, draw an array in the drawing box.

2a. You buy 5 packs of pencils. Each pack has 4 coloured pencils and 3 black pencils. Write an expression using the distributive property and find the total number of pencils.

2b. A playground is 7 metres long, divided into a 3 m section and a 4 m section. If there are 6 identical playgrounds, write a multiplication sentence using the distributive property and work out the total length in metres.

2c. Sarah packed 4 boxes. Each box has 5 small toys and 7 large toys. Use the distributive property to find the total number of toys without counting every toy.

2d. Challenge: Use a three-part partition. Calculate 4 × (2 + 3 + 5) using the distributive property. Show your steps.

2e. In one sentence, explain what the distributive property means in your own words.

Differentiation: Use counters or draw arrays if you need help visualising. Advanced learners: make your own word problem using a three-part partition. Dyslexia-friendly tip: read each problem aloud and underline the numbers to work with.