NCERT Ganita Prakash, Class 8, textbook pages 183–217 (Part 1)

How to teach Class 8 Maths Chapter 6, We Distribute, Yet Things Multiply, at home

Multiplying expressions and identities, taught with things you already have at home: a 30-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

a²b²abab(a + b)²= a²+2ab+b²

NCERT Class 8 Maths Chapter 6 We Distribute, Yet Things Multiply: what it teaches

Algebra helps multiply quickly. Your child multiplies expressions using the distributive property, learns identities like (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² and (a + b)(a − b) = a² − b², and uses them for mental maths like 103² or 98 × 102.

Why it matters later. Identities are used throughout algebra, factorisation and equations in Classes 9–10.

See it: this chapter in pictures

103²= 100² + 2·100·3 + 3²= 10609
Identities make mental maths fast.
98 × 102= (100 − 2)(100 + 2)= 10000 − 4 = 9996
(a + b)(a − b) = a² − b².
(x + 3)(x + 5)= x² + 5x + 3x + 15= x² + 8x + 15
Multiply every term by every term.

You need

  • squared paper for area models
  • a calculator for checking

Tonight’s 30 minutes

  1. Draw a square of side a + b. Split into a², ab, ab, b².
  2. Use it: 103² = 100² + 2 × 100 × 3 + 3² = 10609.
  3. Use (a + b)(a − b): 98 × 102 = 100² − 2² = 9996.
  4. Multiply (x + 3)(x + 5) with an area grid.

Words to use

  • distributive
  • expand
  • identity
  • square
  • product
  • like terms

Watch for

  • Writing (a + b)² = a² + b². Draw the square: the two ab rectangles are missing.
  • Sign errors with (a − b)². (a − b)² = a² − 2ab + b²; check with numbers.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

You51² quickly?

Your child(50 + 1)² = 2500 + 100 + 1 = 2601.

A game for this week: Mental identity race

  1. Call a product like 97 × 103 or 51².
  2. Players use an identity to calculate mentally.
  3. Check with a calculator.
  4. Fastest correct wins.

A 5-day plan, 30 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Area model of (a + b)².
  2. Day 2Mental squares.
  3. Day 3(a + b)(a − b).
  4. Day 4Expand binomials.
  5. Day 5Mental identity race.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Fast mental maths.
  • Area of extended rooms.
  • Pricing bulk orders.
  • Puzzle tricks.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

Expand (x + 3)(x + 5).

x² + 8x + 15.

103²?

10609.

98 × 102?

9996.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Expands products of binomials.
  • Uses standard identities.
  • Applies identities to mental maths.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Ganita Prakash (Class 8). See the full Class 8 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

What is an algebraic identity?

An equation true for all values of the letters.

Why is (a + b)² not a² + b²?

The area model shows two extra ab rectangles.

How does 98 × 102 use an identity?

It is (100 − 2)(100 + 2) = 100² − 2².