The Distributive Property is quite simple.
The Distributive Property tells us how we can solve expressions in the following form:
a(b+c)
The distributive property is sometimes called the distributive law of multiplication and division.
Let me lay out an example to help you understand this property.
When we see an expression such as 2(4+3), we typically think to solve it like so:
2(4+3)
2(7)
14
This is called using the order of operations (PEDMAS, or whatever you call it.)
With the distributive property or distributive law of multiplication and division, you would instead multiply the '2' by every number in the brackets. This would look like
2(4+3)
2(4)+2(3)
8+6
14
We are distributing the 2 to the 4 and then to the 3.
Just remember, when you use the distributive property, you must always multiply the number outside of the bracket by every number inside the bracket.
Here are some examples for you to try:
4(8+2)
7(2+4)
<em>Answers:</em>
4(8+2)
4(8)+4(2)
32+8
40
7(2+4)
7(2)+7(4)
14+28
42
