distributive property

American  

[dih-strib-yuh-tiv prop-er-tee] / dɪˈstrɪb yə tɪv ˌprɒp ər ti /

noun

1. Mathematics. the property that terms in an expression may be expanded in a particular way to form an equivalent expression.

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Etymology

Origin of distributive property

First recorded in 1810–15

Example Sentences

With an input value of we must use the distributive property.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

Using the distributive property as shown in Example 1.134 will be very useful when we solve money applications in later chapters.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

Some students find it helpful to draw in arrows to remind them how to use the distributive property.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

If you think about doing the math in this way, you are using the distributive property.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

For everyday numbers to make sense, they have to have something called the distributive property, which is best seen through an example.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife