Distributive Property of Multiplication

The distributive property of multiplication lets you multiply a sum by multiplying each addend separately and then adding the products.

For example: 6 x 9 = 6(4+5) = (6 x 4) + (6 x 5) = 54

The Distributive Property of Multiplication is worth its weight in gold because:

• It allows students to solve multiplication problems that are otherwise too hard for them.
• It helps students to develop a better sense of numbers because it clearly illustrates that a number is equal to the sum of its parts.
• It helps students develop a more creative and flexible use of numbers through “number crunching”.
• It helps students to more fully understand the concept of multiplication.

Here are some example of how your kiddo might see it:

Here are a couple of videos about the distributive property:

Angry Birds Distributive Property

Distributive Property Race

Here is a game to practice this skill:

Distributive Property

Please let me know if you have any questions.