Distributive Property - Definition and Examples


The distributive property is a property that you can use to multiply a number by a sum or a difference.

For example, to multiply the number 4 by the sum of 6 and 2, you could use the distributive property.

We can express the mathematical phrase "multiply the number 4 by the sum of 6 and 2" as 4(6 + 2)

Using the distributive property, 4(6 + 2) = 4 x 6 + 4 x 2

Notice that as soon as you write 4 x 6 + 4 x 2, you have used the distributive property. 

Similarly, to multiply the number 4 by the difference of 6 and 2, you could use the distributive property.

We can express the mathematical phrase "multiply the number 4 by the difference of 6 and 2" as 4(6 - 2)

Using the distributive property, 4(6 - 2) = 4 x 6 - 4 x 2

Distributive property formula

For every real number a,b, and c,

a(b + c) = ab + ac

(b + c)a = ba + ca

a(b - c) = ab - ac

(b - c)a = ba - ca

We call a(b + c) = ab + ac and (b + c)a = ba + ca  the distributive property of multiplication over addition

We call a(b - c) = ab - ac and (b - c)a = ba - ca the distributive property of multiplication over subtraction.

Homepage

Math words beginning with the letter d

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
Share this page: