\[a(b+c)=ab+ac\]
Distributivity says that when multiplying a polynomial by another term (or polynomial), the term in front of the brackets is distributed across all terms within the brackets. When multiplying polynomials, each term inside the first set of bracket is multiplied by each term inside the second set of brackets, e.g:
We can see this property is true when all terms are constants, e.g., \(2(1+3)\). The result is the same whether
you add the terms in the brackets first then multiply (\(2\times4=8\)), or if you multiply first then add (\(2\times1+2\times3=8\)).
The distributive property allows us to manipulate algebraic expressions by factoring by a common factor (using brackets),
expand brackets, and multiply polynomials together.
