Math
Distributing a Negative Sign to Only the First Term
Removing parentheses after a minus sign but only changing the sign of the first term.
Quick check
Why students make it
The minus sign is easy to read as attached to just the first term instead of the whole group inside the parentheses.
The rule done right
A leading minus sign multiplies every term inside the parentheses by , so change the sign of each term.
Related resources
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Math: The FOIL Method Infographic -
Math: How to multiply two binomials (FOIL) Infographic -
Math: Factoring by Grouping Infographic - How to subtract integers (Keep Change Change) Memory Aid Cheat Sheet
- Negative Number Operations Reference Cheat Sheet
- Sign when multiplying or dividing integers Memory Aid Cheat Sheet
- Order of Operations & PEMDAS Cheat Sheet
- Order of operations (PEMDAS) Memory Aid Cheat Sheet
- How to Subtract Integers: Keep Change Change Practice Worksheet
- Integer Operations: Adding and Subtracting Negative Numbers Worksheet
- Multiplying and Dividing Integers Worksheet
- Sign When Multiplying or Dividing Integers Practice Worksheet
- Integers and Absolute Value Worksheet
- Order of Operations (PEMDAS) Solver Tool
- Integer Number Line Tool
- Equation Balance Scale Tool
- Linear Equation Solver Tool
- Integer Operations & Absolute Value Lab Lab
- Equation Balance & Intro Algebra Lab Lab
- Fraction Operations & Equivalents Lab Lab