answersLogoWhite

0

Date: 11/04/97 at 15:10:29 From: Doctor Pipe Subject: Re: Distributive Property The Distributive Property is one of the basic properties of the real numbers. You are wise to keep trying to understand it. Try this. To distribute something means to hand it out. If you distribute a test paper to your class, you give a test to each person in the class. The Distributive Property says that if a, b, and c are real numbers, then a x (b + c) = (a x b) + (a x c) Both b and c share a on the left side of the equation; on the right side of the equation the a has been distributed to b and c. Let's take a specific case: 5 x (2 + 3). The distributive property says that this is the same as (5 x 2) + (5 x 3). When we write: 5 x (2 + 3) = (5 x 2) + (5 x 3) we say that we have distributed the five to the two and the three. Both sides of the equation are equal so they will work to the same answer: 5 x (2 + 3) (5 x 2) + (5 x 3) = 5 x 5 = 10 + 15 = 25 = 25 Using our example, the Distributive Property says that five times the sum of two plus three is equal to the product of five times two plus the product of five times three. Using coins to show this, take twenty-five pennies. First, make five stacks of two pennies and five stacks of three pennies. This represents the right hand side of the equation above: five times two plus five times three (or written mathematically: (5 x 2) + (5 x 3)). Now pair each stacks of two pennies with a stack of three pennies. This represents the left side of the example above: five groups, two plus three in each group (or written mathematically: 5 x (2 + 3)). What a strange world it would be if you could take twenty-five pennies and have more or less than 25 based on how you grouped them! Keep trying - you WILL understand this - and more! You might even have fun.... -Doctor Pipe, The Math Forum Check out our web site! http://mathforum.org/dr.math/ Associated Topics:

High School Basic Algebra

Middle School Algebra

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Compare and contrast the definition for Marketing for the chartered institute of marketing and the American Marketing Association.?

Compare with Chartered Institute of UK and American Association of Marketing, the definition of Marketing?


What is the definition of a compatible number?

this means two numbers that are the same and that can compare


What is a one word definition for conpare?

There is nothing called conpare but there is compare. Compare is to consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous; liken.


Where can one obtain property liability insurance?

There are many companies that offer their customers property liability insurance. In the UK, these companies include AXA, Zurich and Ageas. Sites such as Compare the Market can be used to compare these.


Where can one compare investment property mortgage rates?

There are quite a number of various places that one can go to compare investment property mortgage rates. One of the best places to do this is the Lending Tree website.


What is definition of the word compare?

estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between


What will happen when you compare the freezing point and melting point of water?

By definition, they are the same!


How do Rawls and Nozick compare and contrast in their theories of justice?

Rawls and Nozick both address the concept of justice, but they have different perspectives. Rawls focuses on distributive justice and the fair distribution of resources to benefit the least advantaged in society. Nozick, on the other hand, emphasizes individual rights and the importance of respecting property rights. While Rawls advocates for a more egalitarian society through redistribution, Nozick argues for minimal government intervention to protect individual liberties and property rights.


What a good price when leasing a property?

Leasing a property is the same as renting. You sign a lease when you rent a property. To find out if you are getting a good price on a property lease you should check around and compare prices for similar properties.


What kind of property is density?

Density is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on the amount of material present. It is calculated by dividing the mass of a substance by its volume. Density is commonly used to characterize and compare different materials.


Why mass is an example of extrinsic property?

Mass is an example of an extrinsic property, because an extrinsic property is one that varies with and depends on the size and amount of the sample. Obviously, the more of the sample you have, the greater will be the mass. Thus, mass is an extrinsic property. Compare this to density. It doesn't matter how much of the sample you have, the density will be the same. Density is an intrinsic property.


How does the image and definition of the palfrey compare to the type of horse that Sir Lancelot might be riding?

fast twitch and slow twitch muscles.