Distributive Property

To remember how to use the distributive property, think of a Distribution Center for a company such as Wal-Mart. Trucks are loaded with merchandise at the distribution center and then they travel to a set of Wal-Mart stores on their route.

Distributive Property

Think of “a” as one of the trucks, and “b” and “c” as different Wal-Marts on a specific route (the parenthesis represent the area the Wal-Marts are located in).

The truck must travel to all the Wal-Marts in its area to deliver merchandise.

If the truck does not travel to ALL Wal-Marts in its area, in the ( )’s, we know that the truck driver is going to get fired.

Distributive Property

To keep the truck driver from getting fired, we need to make sure he gets to ever Wal-Mart in his area and delivers the merchandise.

***Remember, when he delivers the merchandise, he is “multiplying” their inventory. Always use multiplication when distributing.

Distributive Property

Example:

4( x + 6) = 4x + 4(6) = 4x + 24 |__^ ^ |______|

Distributive Property

When the truck driver proves himself to his boss, his boss will allow him to earn more money by adding more stores to his route!

The truck driver just needs to make sure that he never forgets to go to all the stores!!!! This truck driver was fortunate enough to get another store added to his route. This allowed him to get an xBox for his children! He was sooooo happy!!!!

a(b + c + d) = ab + ac + ad

Each time he gets a new store, he just adds them onto the end of his route!

a(b + c + d + e) = ab + ac + ad + ae

yx

yx

yx

183

)6)(3())(3(

63

Distributive Property:Examples

30183

)10)(3()6)(3())(3(

1063

yx

yx

yx

wyx

wyx

wyx

3630183

)12)(3()10)(3()6)(3())(3(

121063