When a letter is used to represent a variety of numbers, it is Factor (write as a product—two expressions multiplied) using

called a VARIABLE. the Distributive Property.

Commutative Laws – You can change the order when adding 17. 9x + 9y
or multiplying without affecting the answer, 18. 4 + 4x
19. 15x + 5
1. 4 + 5 = 20. 9w + 6
2. 3 + 6 = 21. 8m + 16y + 12
3. 8 x b = 22. 6m + 6
4. xy
5. 5 + ab Use the commutative and/or associative laws to rewrite these
6. 2(x + 3) problems to make them easier to work. Indicate which law
you used for each step.
Associative Law – Numbers can be grouped in any manner for
addition or multiplication. (Order of numbers remains the 23.(237 + 46) + 4
same; grouping symbols—such as parentheses or brackets— 24.(75 + 97) + 25
change. 25. (38 + 55) +45

7. ( a + 2 ) + 6 3 1 1
26.  (5  )
8. 3(xy) 4 3 4
9. (5a)b 1 2 1
27. (  8 ) 
10. s + ( r + t) 2 5 2
11. (3 + w) + k 28. (7 x 2) x 50

Distributive Law (Of Multiplication Over Addition)– The 29.25(13 x 4)

product of a number and a sum can be written as the sum of
two products. 1
30. ( 4  33)
2
12. 5 ( a+ b)
13. 3(2x + y) 1
14. (a + b)4 31. (27  20)
2
15. 4 (2x + y + z)
16. ( a + 3b + c)4
 Ordering of Numbers

(1) Counting (or Natural) numbers

E.g. 1,2,3,4,5,6... (7) Numbers on the left of a given number on the number line
are less than the given number,
(2) Integers (or Whole numbers) E,g. 2 < 4
E.g. 3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3...

(3) Positive odd numbers Example 1: Write an integer to represent each situation:
E.g. 1,3,5,7,9...
10 degrees above zero +10
(4) Positive even numbers a loss of 16 dollars -16
E.g. 2,4,6,8,10... a gain of 5 points +5
8 steps backward -8
(5) Consecutive whole numbers
Whole numbers which are immediately next to each other on
the number line
E.g. 5, 6 and 7 are consecutive whole numbers,

(6) Numbers on the right of a given number on the number

line are greater than the given number.
E.g, 7> 4