Algebra 1 | Resource

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Modeling the Distributive Property Activity Guide

The Distributive Property Explained
In this activity you will use square and rectangular tiles to model the distributive property. Remember
that the units tiles are the small squares, the x tiles are the rectangles, and the x 2 tiles are the larger
squares.
There are at least two ways to physically model the distributive property:
• The area model
• The “groups of” model

4 2 4 2

3 + 3 = 3

(3 • 4) + (3 • 2) = 3(4 + 2)

12 + 6 = 3(6)

18 = 18

4(3 + 1)
This expression can be read as “4 groups of 3 + 1.”
You can represent the 4 groups of 3 + 1 with the units pieces of your tiles as follows:

(1st group)

(2nd group)

(3rd group)

(4th group)

This is the same as 4 groups of 3 and 4 groups of 1, or

4(3 + 1) = (4 • 3) + (4 • 1)

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Materials
Square and Rectangular Tiles

The Distributive Property in Action

1. Use the area model and the units tiles to demonstrate that
4(3 + 1) = (4 • 3) + (4 • 1).

2. Using the “groups of” model, represent 5(4 + 2) with units tiles. Then finish the equation,
as in the example above, showing the use of the distributive property.
The equation is started for you…
5(4 + 2) =

3. Think a step further. Using the “groups of” model, represent 3(x + 2) with x and units tiles.
Sketch a picture of your model below, finish the equation and show the use of the distributive
property, and simplify.
3(x + 2) =

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4. Now, try this… Using the “groups of” model, represent 3(x 2 + 2x + 3) with the x 2, x, and
units tiles. Sketch a picture of your model below, finish the equation and show the use of the
distributive property, and simplify.
3(x 2 + 2x + 3) =

5. At the risk of being negative, give this one a try. Using the “groups of” model, represent
2(2x 2 – 3x – 1) with your x 2, x, and units tiles. (Use the shaded tiles to represent negative
numbers.) Sketch a picture of your model below, and finish the equation and show the use of
the distributive property, and simplify.
2(2x 2 – 3x – 1) =

6. Okay, it’s time to “think outside the box.” Using the “groups of” model, represent –3(x 2 – x + 1)
with your x 2, x, and units tiles. Sketch your model below, finish the equation and show the use
of the distributive property, and simplify.
Hint: The expression above can be thought of as “the opposite of 3(x 2 – x + 1).” So, begin by
modeling 3(x 2 – x + 1), and then think of a way to show the opposite of each term.
–3(x 2 – x + 1) =

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Summarize
1. What is an equivalent expression for 6(2 + 5), according to the distributive property?

2. What is an equivalent expression for (7 • 3) + (7 • 4), according to the distributive property?

3. What is an equivalent expression for 8(x + 5), according to the distributive property?

4. What is an equivalent expression for (x • 2) + (x • 9), according to the distributive property?

5. What is an equivalent expression for 3(7x 2 + 5x + 12), according to the distributive property?

6. What is an equivalent expression for –5(2x 2 – 3x + 1), according to the distributive property?

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