Applying the Distributive Property
Applying the Distributive Property is a Grade 4 math skill in enVision Mathematics, Chapter 3: Use Strategies and Properties to Multiply by 1-Digit Numbers. Students learn to break apart a factor into a sum or difference and multiply each part separately, making mental multiplication easier.
Key Concepts
The distributive property allows you to multiply a number by a sum or difference by multiplying each part of the sum or difference separately and then adding or subtracting the products. $$a \times (b + c) = (a \times b) + (a \times c)$$ $$a \times (b c) = (a \times b) (a \times c)$$.
Common Questions
What is the distributive property in multiplication?
The distributive property states that a times (b plus c) equals (a times b) plus (a times c). You can multiply a number by breaking apart one factor into a sum or difference.
How do you use the distributive property to multiply?
Break one factor into a friendly sum or difference, multiply the other factor by each part, then add or subtract the results. For example, 8 times 31 equals 8 times 30 plus 8 times 1 equals 248.
Why is the distributive property useful for mental math?
The distributive property lets you replace a hard multiplication like 8 times 29 with easier problems like 8 times 30 minus 8 times 1, making it manageable without a calculator.
What is an example of the distributive property?
To solve 9 times 497, use 9 times 500 minus 9 times 3, which equals 4500 minus 27, which equals 4473.
What chapter covers the distributive property in enVision Mathematics Grade 4?
The distributive property is covered in Chapter 3: Use Strategies and Properties to Multiply by 1-Digit Numbers in enVision Mathematics Grade 4.