Math
Distributive property.
Definition
The distributive property states that multiplying a number by a sum or difference is the same as multiplying by each term separately and then adding or subtracting. It is fundamental for expanding and simplifying expressions.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12
- 2 −2(5a − 3) = −10a + 6
- 3 (x + 2)(x + 3) uses the distributive property twice (FOIL)
Key Fact
a(b + c) = ab + ac