What is the distributive property?

Solution: 

The distributive property is a property of multiplication used in addition and subtraction

Distributive property states that multiplying the sum of two or more addends by a number will give the same result as multiplying each addend individually by the number and then adding the products together. 

It also applies for difference of numbers being multiplied to a number

It is given as:

• a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c
• a × (b - c) = a × b - a × c

Example 1 :  3 × ( 2 + 5 ) = 3 × 2 + 3 × 5

LHS = 3 × ( 2 + 5 )

=> 3 × 7 = 21

RHS = 3 × 2 + 3 × 5

=> 6 + 15 = 21

Thus, LHS = RHS

Example 2 : 5 × ( 4 - 1) = 5 × 4 - 5 × 1

LHS = 5 × ( 4 - 1)

=> 5 × 3 = 15

RHS = 5 × 4 - 5 × 1

=> 20 - 5 = 15

Hence, LHS = RHS

Thus, we have understood the usage of the distributive property by looking into the examples

What is the distributive property?

Summary:

Distributive property states that two or more terms in addition or subtraction, when multiplied with a number are equal to the addition or subtraction of the product of each of the terms with that number.