distributive property
Multiply across sums
The distributive property is a fundamental rule in mathematics stating that multiplying a number by a sum equals the sum of multiplying that number by each addend separately: a(b + c) = ab + ac.
This property allows you to break apart or expand expressions, making mental math easier and forming the basis for algebraic manipulation.
Using the distributive property, 4 × 23 becomes (4 × 20) + (4 × 3) = 92.
It applies equally to subtraction: a(b − c) = ab − ac.
- addCombine into total
- like termsExpressions with matching variables
- multiplicationProduct-finding operation
- times tablesMemorized arithmetic products
- additionJoining quantities mathematically
subtraction · part · algebra · division · number · real numbers · coefficient · simplify · expand · equation · exponentiation · sum · divide · parentheses · break · common factor · combine · mental math
distributive propertyfactoring
Breaking into multiplicative parts
factorization · simplification · grouping · simplifying · condensing