Expressions in Motion

This distributive property worksheet helps students expand and simplify algebraic expressions with variables, negative coefficients, and fractional multipliers. Students practice distributing accurately and then combining like terms to fully simplify-key readiness skills for pre-algebra and early algebra.

Instructional Objectives

• Skill Focus (Grades 5-7): Apply the Distributive Property to expand expressions with variables and rational numbers (including negatives and fractions).
• Conceptual Understanding (Grades 5-7): Strengthen accuracy and math sense by focusing on what distribution means and why each term must be multiplied.
• Algebraic Reasoning (Grades 6-7): Simplify completely by combining like terms after distributing, supporting multi-step expression fluency.
• Curriculum Alignment (Grades 5-7): Reinforces algebraic expressions, rational number operations, and variable manipulation standards commonly taught across upper elementary and middle school.

This worksheet is structured to build confidence through repeated practice with gradually increasing complexity. Similar problem formats help students internalize the steps while varied coefficients and expression types reduce common errors-especially with negative signs and fractional multipliers.

Learning Benefits

• Easy to use for whole-class modeling, guided practice, or independent work
• Strong fit for homework, math centers, small groups, intervention/RTI, or test prep
• Clear progression supports differentiation for learners who need extra scaffolding or more challenge
• Encourages precise simplification habits that transfer directly to solving equations and evaluating expressions

This printable worksheet is a practical way to help students master distributing with variables and simplifying fully by combining like terms-ideal for classroom and homeschool math practice.

This worksheet is part of our Distributive Property Worksheets collection.