Checking and securing understanding of the distributive law
I can state the distributive law and use it to calculate efficiently.
Checking and securing understanding of the distributive law
I can state the distributive law and use it to calculate efficiently.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The distributive law can be used when two (or more) values have a common factor.
- By using the distributive law, calculations can be made easier.
- Any common factor can be used but the highest is often the most efficient.
Keywords
Distributive law - The distributive law says that multiplying a sum is the same as multiplying each addend and summing the result.
Common misconception
The distributive law only uses addition eg 24 x 99 = 24 x (90 + 9) = 24 x 90 + 24 x 9
Subtraction is important as it can simplify the calculation 24 x 99 = 24 x (100 - 1) = 24 x 100 - 24 x 1
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of the distributive law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of the distributive law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 maths lessons from the Arithmetic procedures with integers and decimals unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
3 + 12 + 4 -
12 + 3 + 4
3 × 12 × 4 -
4 × 3 × 12
A + 3 + B -
B + A + 3
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Commutative -
$$9 + 10 + 11 = 9 + 11 + 10$$
Associative -
$$(5 × 4) × 2 = 5 × (4 × 2)$$
Distributive -
$$12 × (4 + 3) = 48 + 36$$