BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach Starts Oct 17
Chris Peckover, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Chris Peckover, 100th-Percentile GMAT Scorer

Oct 17 · Chris Peckover
Sat · 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET
Oct 20 · Chris Peckover
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Oct 25 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 1:00 to 4:00 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemand 5 seats left Start anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

distributive property - silly question

Expert replies
by Gurpinder » Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:26 am
xd-(x-w)m

are we suppose to distribute the M or do x-w first and then multiply by M?

thanks all
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by puneetdua » Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:49 am
We will first solve the expression inside the Bracket and then multiply my M.

Please post the Question , if you have any doubt in that ..it might help us here to understand one more new funda ;)
Thanks
Puneet
Join the discussion

by Gurpinder » Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:52 am
puneetdua wrote:We will first solve the expression inside the Bracket and then multiply my M.

Please post the Question , if you have any doubt in that ..it might help us here to understand one more new funda ;)
In MGMAT book, they went from xd-(x-w)m --> xd - xm + wm

how?
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
Join the discussion

by niksworth » Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:53 am
Both will result in the same value! However, always follow the BODMAS rule.

E.g. x=5, d=4, w=3, m=2

Distribute m first

xd-(x-w)m
=5*4 - (5-3)*2
=20 - (5*2 - 3*2)
=20 - (10 - 6)
=20 - 4
=16

Subtract first
xd-(x-w)m
=5*4 - (5-3)*2
=20 - 2*2
=20 - 4
=16
Join the discussion

by niksworth » Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:55 am
Gurpinder wrote:
puneetdua wrote:We will first solve the expression inside the Bracket and then multiply my M.

Please post the Question , if you have any doubt in that ..it might help us here to understand one more new funda ;)
In MGMAT book, they went from xd-(x-w)m --> xd - xm + wm

how?
xd - (x-w)m
=xd - (xm - wm)
=xd - xm + wm (sign changes on opening brackets if preceded by a negative sign)
Join the discussion

by Gurpinder » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:05 am
niksworth wrote:
Gurpinder wrote:
puneetdua wrote:We will first solve the expression inside the Bracket and then multiply my M.

Please post the Question , if you have any doubt in that ..it might help us here to understand one more new funda ;)
In MGMAT book, they went from xd-(x-w)m --> xd - xm + wm

how?
xd - (x-w)m
=xd - (xm - wm)
=xd - xm + wm (sign changes on opening brackets if preceded by a negative sign)
alright!

so I guess the rule is:
x(a+b) = xa+xb
(a+b)x = xa+xb

x can be in front or at the back!

Correct?
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
Join the discussion

by niksworth » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:31 am
Gurpinder wrote:
niksworth wrote:
Gurpinder wrote:
puneetdua wrote:We will first solve the expression inside the Bracket and then multiply my M.

Please post the Question , if you have any doubt in that ..it might help us here to understand one more new funda ;)
In MGMAT book, they went from xd-(x-w)m --> xd - xm + wm

how?
xd - (x-w)m
=xd - (xm - wm)
=xd - xm + wm (sign changes on opening brackets if preceded by a negative sign)
alright!

so I guess the rule is:
x(a+b) = xa+xb
(a+b)x = xa+xb

x can be in front or at the back!

Correct?
I think you are getting unnecessarily confused.

x(a+b) = xa+xb = ax + bx = ax + xb = xa +bx
(a+b)x = xa+xb = ax + bx = ax + xb = xa +bx

Read about the following on the net and your concepts will be clear -
1) Commutative law
2) Associate law
3) Distributive law

Check the following link.
https://www.mathsisfun.com/associative-c ... utive.html
Join the discussion

by Gurpinder » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:35 am
Umm...I think I might have not been clear.


x(a+b) = xa+xb
(a+b)x = xa+xb

i meant there. regardless of whether the x is in front of the bracket or behind it, you are to distribute the x?

clear?
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
Join the discussion

by niksworth » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:46 am
Gurpinder wrote:Umm...I think I might have not been clear.


x(a+b) = xa+xb
(a+b)x = xa+xb

i meant there. regardless of whether the x is in front of the bracket or behind it, you are to distribute the x?

clear?
Yeah. Absolutely!

E.g.
5*(3+2) = (5*3 + 5*2) = (3*5+2*5) = 15 + 10 = 25
(3+2)*5 = (3*5 + 2*5) = (5*3 + 5*2) = 15 + 10 = 25

Order of multiplication does not matter [By commutative law]
Join the discussion

by Gurpinder » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:48 am
niksworth wrote:
Gurpinder wrote:Umm...I think I might have not been clear.


x(a+b) = xa+xb
(a+b)x = xa+xb

i meant there. regardless of whether the x is in front of the bracket or behind it, you are to distribute the x?

clear?
Yeah. Absolutely!

E.g.
5*(3+2) = (5*3 + 5*2) = (3*5+2*5) = 15 + 10 = 25
(3+2)*5 = (3*5 + 2*5) = (5*3 + 5*2) = 15 + 10 = 25

Order of multiplication does not matter [By commutative law]
Thanks!
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
Join the discussion