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

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

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

Example 1.137 will show how to use the distributive property to find the opposite of an expression.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

This usually involves combining like terms or using 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