1. Numbers and algebraic properties

Distributive property

Level: fundamental

Formula

a (b + c) = ab + a c

Detail

Relates multiplication to addition and is the basis of expansion and factorization.

You'll see that $a (b + c)$ is the same area as $ab + a c$ .

Try it — Move $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ and compare both panels: one whole rectangle on the left; $ab$ and $a c$ side by side on the right.

c1.5

a(b+c) = 10.5 · ab+ac = 10.5 · Same total