• Algebra
• Trigonometry
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Distributive property

The property of distributing the multiplication across the addition or subtraction of the terms is called the distributive property.

Introduction

$a$, $b$ and $c$ are three literals but represent three terms in algebraic form. The sum and difference of the terms $b$ and $c$ are written as $b+c$ and $b-c$ respectively. The distributive property can be written in terms $a$, $b$ and $c$ in two different forms.

Addition form

$a(b+c) \,=\, ab+ac$

Learn how to distribute the multiplication over addition.

Subtraction form

$a(b-c) \,=\, ab-ac$

Learn how to distribute the multiplication over subtraction.