The distributive property is a fundamental property in mathematics that allows you to multiply a number by a sum or difference by distributing the multiplication to each term inside the parentheses. For example, if you have the numbers 24 and 40, you can use the distributive property to simplify expressions involving these numbers.
Let’s break it down with an example:
Suppose you have the expression 24 × (40 + 5). Using the distributive property, you can distribute the multiplication of 24 to both 40 and 5:
24 × (40 + 5) = (24 × 40) + (24 × 5)
Now, let’s calculate each part:
24 × 40 = 960
24 × 5 = 120
So, 24 × (40 + 5) = 960 + 120 = 1080
This shows how the distributive property works with the numbers 24 and 40. It allows you to break down complex multiplication into simpler parts, making calculations easier and more manageable.