Distributive
Maths.
Multiplication is distributive over addition
The distributive property of multiplication over addition means that brackets within expressions can be 'multiplied out' when the brackets contain additions.
Example
3 x (4 + 5) gives the same result as:
(3 x 4) + (3 x 5).
In the first case:
3 x (4 + 5)
= 3 x 9
= 27
In the second case:
(3 x 4) + (3 x 5)
= 12 + 15
= 27 as before.
Multiplication is also distributive over subtraction
The distributive property of multiplication over subtraction means that brackets within expressions can also be 'multiplied out' when the brackets contain subtractions.
Example
3 x (6 - 2) gives the same result as:
(3 x 6) - (3 x 2).
In the first case:
3 x (6 - 2)
= 3 x 4
= 12
In the second case:
(3 x 6) - (3 x 2)
= 18 + 6
= 12 as before.
