Use the distributive property to simplify the expression calculator

Roughly speaking, the distributive property lets us expand one big, complicated expression into several smaller, simpler ones. It must always involve two different operations (hence, the long name distributive property of multiplication over addition).

Let's take a look at a symbolic distributive property definition and analyze it:

x * (a + b + c + d + ...) = x*a + x*b + x*c + x*d + ...

So what is the distributive property in math? As you can see, it's all about taking an expression with just one * sign and turning it into quite a few of them. That is precisely the essence of the distributive property of multiplication over addition: we distribute the multiplication sign * over all the terms separated by the addition sign +. As a result, we go from a lengthy expression into an even longer but much simpler one.

It's important to remember a few directions in which we can extend the above distributive property definition. As the nice guys that we are, we list them all neatly below.

  1. Multiplication is commutative. Therefore, x * (a + b + c + d + ...) is the same as (a + b + c + d + ...) * x. What is more, the same property lets us change the order of multiplication on the right side of the distributive property definition: x*a + x*b + x*c + x*d + ... = a*x + b*x + c*x + d*x + ...
  2. Subtraction is similar to addition. In other words, we can have subtraction instead of addition in the distributive property definition or even have a mixture of both. However, make sure to take good care of the signs. For instance, x * (a - b - c + d + ...) = x*a - x*b - x*c + x*d + ...
  3. Division is somewhat similar to multiplication. Like above, we can sometimes have division instead of multiplication. However, here we have to be extra careful since division is not commutative and so the distributive property of division only works one way: (a + b + c + d + ...) / x = a/x + b/x + c/x + d/x + .... In other words, we cannot use a similar formula for x / (a + b + c + d + ...). Nevertheless, point 2. still applies: we can have both pluses and minuses inside the bracket.
  4. The distributive property appears in many areas of mathematics. It applies to other, more complicated operations done not only on numbers but objects such as sequences or functions. In some sense, it describes well-structured spaces, and weird things happen when it fails. Fortunately, we don't have to care too much about it: the distributive property of multiplication over addition is all we need for now (and most probably the rest of your life)!

Phew, that seems like enough mathematical mumbo-jumbo. Let's move on from symbols to numbers and see how to do distributive property in practice. We'll take on a few problems, but we'll make sure to go over them slowly and thoroughly. After all, we promised some nice distributive property examples and nice examples you shall get!

It is the property to solve the expression, the basic form of distribute property is represented by in the form of a(b+c). Then it gives the simplified expression value ab+ac.

Sometimes, distribute property are also called Distribution Law of Multiplication and Division. Before doing the addition process, we need to multiply first. In mathematics, Distributive Law are related in addition operation and multiplication operation.

a(b+c) = ab+ac

In the left side, Factor a can multiplied with (b+c) and give the left side result in the form of ab+ac.

Some examples for Distributive property are give below:-

  • 1(2+3) = 1*2 + 1*3

= 2 + 3

= 5

  • 4(2+6) = 4*2 + 4*6

= 8 + 24

= 32

Distributive Property Calculator gives the simplified expression value in the output side. 

Procedure To Enter The Expression And Get The Result In Distributive Property Calculator:-

  • In the Input box, enter the expression value for Distributive property.
  • Next click the submit button and get the simplified output result in the displayed window for the Distributive property.

It’s time for math homework once again. You hate the situation, but you will have to sit down and get to work. Procrastination will not help you in any way. However, there are tools which are especially designed to make your life easier and to support your learning at the same time. You can readily use distributive property calculator online to simplify complex math problems and solve them accurately. Let’s take a closer look at how it works and at how it will help you.

The Distributive Property Explained


This property is extremely helpful for solving problems and especially equations and inequalities. It can be used for polynomials of any degree. The property is all about distributing one or multiple terms over others. Simply put, it is about opening brackets and multiplying, adding, subtracting and dividing the terms of the expression.
This doesn’t seem very difficult, right? It’s not, but the risk of errors such as missing a term and placing a plus sign instead of a minus sign is considerable, especially when the expression is long. Things can get more complicated when there are variables of different degrees and/or fractions in the expression. There is no room for despair, however, because the distributive property solver is directly available online and doesn’t cost anything to use. You can access it at any time via any connected device. There is no need to pay a fee or even to create a special account in order to use it.

Help with Solving Problems

The calculator is really simple to use even for the youngest students. It has two fields which you have to fill out. The expression which has to be distributed should be entered first. It can consist of multiple terms. In the second field, you have to enter the expression, which the first one has to be distributed over. There is practically no room for confusion since the two will come in the same order and will typically be placed in brackets. It is important to check that you have entered all terms correctly even if they consist of just a simple number. Then you simply need to hit the submit button and the software will take care of the rest.
You will get the correct solution in seconds. Usually, it is easy to see where it comes from, but this may not be the case with more complex polynomials. That is why it makes sense to use the distributive property calculator free as a support tool. It will help you to check if you have got the answer right in addition to saving you a great deal of time. With it, you can practice doing different types of problems at home to do ever better in math. It is great to be able to see the answer and know that you have got things right or that you have made an error and have to go back and fix it.
Make full use of this and all other online calculators available to get the hang of solving math problems. They are not as hard as you might think.

How do you do distributive property on a calculator?

The procedure to use the distributive property calculator is as follows:.
Step 1: Enter an expression of the form a (b+c) in the input field..
Step 2: Now click the button “Submit” to get the simplified expression..
Step 3: Finally, the simplification of the given expression will be displayed in a new window..