Mathematics
Grade 6
Distributive Property
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your son or daughter is currently learning how to use the
distributive property to compute numbers. Here is your chance to
help him or her practice this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
son or daughter to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page
this evening. Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your
son or daughter return it tomorrow.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
_________________________
Your son or daughter’s teacher
Grade 6 – Distributive Property
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
1
Last printed 8/31/04
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USING THE DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY
Parent Pointer —
A word problem involving numbers can be written as a mathematical
expression. Your son or daughter is learning how to arrange numbers in
an organized way so the numbers are easier to compute. Learning to
use the distributive property will help your son or daughter in many
future activities in the area of algebra.
Math In the Home, On the Go, and For the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Help your parent or guardian learn more about using
the distributive property by reading the Using the Distributive
Property page. After that, use arrays to write mathematical
expressions on the Scattering Numbers page.
Talk About It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to show
what you know.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 6 – Distributive Property
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/31/04
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Using the Distributive Property
The distributive property allows you to spread out
numbers so that they are easier to work with.
The distributive property is a multiplication problem with one of the
factors written as a sum. It allows us to multiply each addend, then
find the sum without changing the product.
Using order of operations
Examples:
Using the distributive property
2 × (9 + 3)
2 × 12
24
3 × (15 – 5)
3 × 10
30
Using subtraction
2 × (9 + 3)
(2 × 9) + (2 × 3)
18 + 6
24
3 × (15 – 5)
(3 × 15) – (3 × 5)
45 - 15
30
You can draw arrays to help you use the distributive property:
2 × (10 + 3)
(2 × 10) + (2 × 3)
2 × 10 = 20
2×3=6
20 + 6 = 26
Grade 6 – Distributive Property
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/31/04
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Scattering Numbers
Write mathematical expressions for each scenario.
Some of the arrays have been drawn for you. The first
scenario has been solved for you. In the last scenario,
you may want to draw arrays to help you write the expression.
Mr. Jarvis is purchasing 4 bags of apples for $2 each
and 3 bags of peaches for $2 each. What
mathematical expression can be written involving the
distributive property?
2×4
2×3
(2 × 4) + (2 × 3)
Mae baked muffins to share at the neighborhood
breakfast. She baked 2 dozen blueberry muffins and 1
dozen chocolate chip muffins. What mathematical
expression can be written involving the distributive
property?
2 × 12
1 × 12
Peter and Martin sold raffle tickets for a theater
fundraiser. Peter sold 2 tickets for $5, and Martin sold 4
tickets for $5. What mathematical expression can be
written involving the distributive property? (Draw arrays
to help you on the back side of this page.)
Grade 6 – Distributive Property
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/31/04
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The Back Page
Talk About It
Parent —
Ask your son or daughter the following question:
9What does the distributive property allow you to do
when computing numbers?
Student —
Answer the above question in a complete sentence on
the bottom of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities (use the back side of
this page if needed):
9
Draw a picture that illustrates what the distributive
property allows you to do when computing numbers.
9Think of real-life scenarios and write mathematical
expressions involving the distributive property. Draw
arrays to help you.
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 6 – Distributive Property
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
5
Last printed 8/31/04