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)