Distributive Property

My Definition

Key Characteristics

The following are true about the Distributive Property:

  • The Distributive Property is applied when multiplying a sum or difference of two numbers by a factor.

  • The Distributive Property can also be applied with dividing a sum or difference of two numbers by a common divisor.

Example

a ∙ (b + c) = a ∙ b + a ∙ c
a ∙ (b - c) = a ∙ b - a ∙ c


Video Transcript (PDF)

Examples: Use a calculator to determine if each equation is true.
4(5 + 2) = 4 ∙ 5 + 4 ∙ 2
9(6 - 3) = 9 ∙ 6 - 9 ∙ 3
(11 - 5) ∙ 3 = 11 ∙ 3 - 5 ∙ 3

Non-example

These are examples of the associative property.

5 + (2 + 3) = (5 + 2) + 3
(6 ∙ 4) ∙ 2 = 6 ∙ (4 ∙ 2)

TEKS: 1(5)(G), 2(4)(B), 3(4)(A), 3(4)(G), 3(4)(K), 4(3)(E), 4(4)(B), 4(4)(D), 5(3)(E), 5(3)(H), 6(7)(D)