The Distributive Property of MultiplicationYes, you can do

it!

First of all…what is the Distributive Property?

In the Distributive Property, you are distributing something as you

separate or break it into parts. The distributive property makes

numbers easier to work with. In algebra when we use the

distributive property, we're expanding (distributing).

Let’s watch a BrainPop video to show us more details.

Ok…now let’s take a closer look.The Distributive Property let’s us take a multiplication problem and

break it into little parts.

4 x (2 + 3) means… (4 x 2) + (4 x 3)

8 + 12 20

Think of it this way…you and 4 others (5 total) have been asked to bring 3 drinks to a party. The person having the party needs more drinks, so she asks 2 more people to bring 3 drinks each. The problem

looks like this:3 drinks each for 5 people, then 2 more people…

3 x (5 + 2)= (3 x 5) + (3 x 2) 15 + 6

21

What we are doing is making one multiplication problems into two

so it is easier to solve!

Another way to use the property is to multiply a problem like this:

3 x 25

T

To do 3 x 25, we set it up like this…

First, show the value of the big number or expand it: 25 = 20 + 5

After you expand it, multiply each one times the 3…(3 x 20) and (3 x 5),then add the totals!

75

3 x 25 = (3 x 20) + (3 x 5) 60 + 15

75In other words, multiply the small number times the big number that

has been expanded.

Ok…Let’s try one.

3 x (4 + 6)(On this one, remember to multiply

the 3 times the 4, then the 6 and then add the totals.)

And the other way…(expand first)

4 x 63= (4 x 60) + (4 x 3) 240 + 12

252Stretch it out…