6th Grade · Expressions & Equations
Distributive Property
6.EE.A.3
Definition
A rule that multiplies a factor by each term inside parentheses, as in a(b + c) = ab + ac.
Examples
- 3(x + 2) = 3·x + 3·2 = 3x + 6.
- Multiply the outside number by each term inside.
Key rule
The distributive property hands the outside factor to every term inside.
Memory hook
One number, distributed to everyone inside the parentheses.