Multiplying an expression by a constant
I can use the distributive law to multiply an expression by a constant.
Multiplying an expression by a constant
I can use the distributive law to multiply an expression by a constant.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The distributive law can make multiplication easier.
- The distributive law can be understood using an area model.
- A bar model can be used to represent the distributive law.
- The distributive law can help us multiply an expression by a constant.
Keywords
Constant - A constant is a term that does not change; it contains no variables.
Common misconception
3(y+2) expands to 3y+2.
3 lots of 12 isn't 3x10+2 so 3 lots of (y+2) isn't 3y+2. Get students to draw this out. To visualise it.
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Multiplying an expression by a constant, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Multiplying an expression by a constant, 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 Expressions and equations unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
$$5 \times y$$ -
$$5y$$
$$5 \times x$$ -
$$5x$$
$$x \times y$$ -
$$xy$$
$$-5 \times y$$ -
$$-5y$$
$$x \times -5$$ -
$$-5x$$
$$3 \times -4a$$ -
$$-12a$$
$$3 \times -4b$$ -
$$-12b$$
$$-3 \times -4a$$ -
$$12a$$
$$-6b \times -2$$ -
$$12b$$
$$-3 \times 2a \times -2b$$ -
$$12ab$$
$$-3 \times -2a \times -2b$$ -
$$-12ab$$
Exit quiz
6 Questions
$$5(x+4)$$ -
$$5x+20$$
$$4(x+5)$$ -
$$4x+20$$
$$10(x+2)$$ -
$$10x+20$$
$$2(x+10)$$ -
$$2x+20$$
$$10(x+4)$$ -
$$10x+40$$
$$4(x+10)$$ -
$$4x+40$$
$$-2(-x-5)$$ -
$$2x+10$$
$$-2(x+5)$$ -
$$-2x-10$$
$$-2(x-5)$$ -
$$-2x+10$$
$$-2(5-x)$$ -
$$2x-10$$