Introduction to Distributive Property

The distributive property states that when we multiply a factor and a sum or difference, we multiply the factor by each term of the sum or difference.

Formula

• a × $b + c$ = $a × b$ + $a × c$

• a × $b − c$ = $a × b$ − $a × c$

Example

Rewrite 8 × $7 + 4$ using distributive property in order to simplify

Solution

Step 1:

According to distributive property for any three real numbers, 'a', 'b' and 'c'

a × $b + c$ = $a × b$ + $a × c$

Step 2:

8 × $7 + 4$ = $8 × 7$ + $8 × 4$ = 56 + 32 = 88

Rewrite given expression using distributive property in order to simplify

8 × $7 + 4$

Solution

Step 1:

According to distributive property for any three real numbers, 'a', 'b' and 'c'

a × $b + c$ = $a × b$ + $a × c$

Step 2:

8 × $7 + 4$ = $8 × 7$ + $8 × 4$ = 56 + 32 = 88

Rewrite given expression using distributive property in order to simplify

9 × $6 − 2$

Solution

Step 1:

According to distributive property for any three real numbers, 'a', 'b' and 'c'

a × $b − c$ = $a × b$ − $a × c$

Step 2:

9 × $6 − 2$ = $9 × 6$ − $9 × 2$ = 54 − 18 = 36