How do you combine like terms using the distributive property?

Answer 1

Technically those are two different things that you must do when dealing with algebra. For example:

3(3a+2b)+4a

First you use the distributive property with the 3(3a+2b). If there is a coefficient on the inside of the parentheses then you multiply it by the number on the outside of the parentheses. After doing so, the algebraic sentence would become:

9a+6b+4a

Then when you combine like terms, or when two terms have the same variable, therefore, can be combined, you take the sign in front of the like terms along with them. So you would take the addition sign along with 9a and 4a, meaning you add them together. Then the algebraic sentence would become:

13a+6b

(Hint: Always list the variables alphabetically, so 13a would come before 6b.)