Given a = 3, b = 4, and c = 5:
Prove the Distributive Property
Distributive Property Definition:
a(b + c) = a(b) + a(c)
We read this three ways:
- The sum of a and b times c
- a times b plus c
- The product of a times b plus c
Plug in a = 3, b = 4, c = 5:
3(4 + 5) = 3(4) + 3(5)
We read this two ways:
- 4 and 5 times 3
- 3 times 4 plus 5
Simplifying, we get:
3(9) = 12 + 15
27 = 27
