Distributive Property Calculator

Your details

Numeric distributes a single multiplier over two numbers. Algebraic distributes over a linear term and a constant.
Choose addition or subtraction between b and c inside the parentheses.
The number or factor on the outside of the parentheses.
In numeric mode this is a plain number. In algebraic mode it is the coefficient of x.
The constant term inside the parentheses.
Expanded form
12 + 6 = 18

The expression after applying the distributive property

First product (a x b)12
Second product (a x c)6
Simplified result18
First product (a x b)12
Second product (a x c)6

3(4 + 2) = 18

  • Distributing 3 over (4 + 2) gives 12 + 6.
  • Both products add up to 18, the same answer you would get by working out the bracket first: 3 x 6 = 18.
  • In this case distributing is more steps than computing the bracket directly, but it illustrates the law.

Next stepTry changing the mode to "Algebraic" to see how the same property applies when x is in the expression.

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