Distributive property

Definition:
The distributive property is one of the most frequently used math
properties among other properties like associative, commutative,
closure property etc.
In general, this property refers to the distributive property of
multiplication which states that the number or a variable can be
independently multiplied to the sum/difference of another number
thereby fetching the same result.
Eg:
i.)

2 x (3+4) = 2 x 3 + 2 x 4 = 6 + 8 = 14.

ii.)

2 x (3 - 4) = 2 x 3 2 x (4) = 6 8 = -2.

iii.)

5 x (Y + 2) = 5 x Y + 5 x 2 = 5Y + 10.

Types of Distributive Property:

1. Left Distributive.
When a term is multiplied to a sum/differences of another
term, it can be distributed by multiplying the individual
terms with the first term and then added/subtracted.

2. Right Distributive.
When a sum/difference of terms is multiplied to a term, it
can be distributed by multiplying the individual terms with
the second term and then added/subtracted.

NOTE:
There is difference between Left-Distributive and Right
Distributive.
1.)
Multiplication follows both Left and Right Distributive
rule.
X * (Y + Z) = X * Y + X * Z. (Left)
(Y + Z) * X = Y * Z + Z * X. (Right)
2.)

Division only follows Left Distributive rule.

(Y + Z) / X = Y/X + Z/X.
(Right)
X / (Y + Z) is not equal to X/Y + X/Z. (Left)

Distributive property doesnt apply in division in all the cases.

Eg:
4 / (2 + 3) is not equal to 4/2 + 4/3.
But (2 + 3) / 4 = 2/4 + 3/4.

Other Examples:
1.)

Consider multiplying 9 with 73.

9 X 73
: 9 X (70 + 3)
: 9 X (7 X 10 + 3)
: 9 X 7 X 10 + 9 X 3

: 63 X 10 + 9 X 3
: 630 + 27
: 657.
2.)
(a + b) . (a b)
: a . (a - b) + b . (a b)
: a.a a.b + b.a b.b
: a2 - ab + ba b2
: a2 - b 2

3.)

The distributive law can be used in taking out the

common factors.
Eg: 12ab + 18b +30bc
The common factor of 12ab + 18b + 30bc, i.e. 6b can be
taken out.
: 6.b.(2a + 3 + 5c)

Application of Distributive Property in Sets and Matrices.

4.)
i.)

Distributive Property of Union And Intersection:

Union over intersection
Eg: A (B C) = (A B) (A C)
Let A = {1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5}
B = {8, 9, 10}
C = {9, 10}
LHS=>
B C Common elements between 2 sets.

Therefore, (B C) = {9, 10}

: A (B C) = {1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5, 9, 10}
RHS=>
(A B) = {1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5, 8, 9, 10}
(A C) = {1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5, 9, 10}
(A B) (A C) = {1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5, 9, 10}
Thus LHS = RHS.
And it can be said that distributive property applies to
Union over Intersection.

A (B C) = (A B) (A C)

ii.)

Intersection over Union.

Eg: A (B C) = (A B) (B C)
Let A = {1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5}
B = {5, 6, 10}
C = {5, 10}
LHS =>
B C = {5,10}
A (B C) = {5}
RHS =>
(A B) = {5}
(A C) = {5}
(A B) (B C) = {5}
Thus LHS = RHS.

And it can be said that distributive property applies to

Intersection over Union.

A (B C) = (A B) (A C)

5.)

Distributive property on Matrix multiplication

Note: Matrix is a rectangular array of numbers arranged in

rows and columns- that is treated in a certain prescribed
way.

Eg: If P and Q are mxn matrices and R is a nxq matrix, then

(P + Q) x R = P x R + Q x R.

6.)
Distributive property applies to Maximum and Minimum
functions also.
Note : Maximum function is denoted by max(a, b, c) in
which it returns the maximum value inside the bracket.
Eg: Maximum function
x + max(y , z) = max(x +y , x + z)

Let x = 2, y=4, z =6.

LHS=>
:2 + max(4,6)
:2 + 6
:8
RHS=>
: max(2 + 4, 2 +6)
:max( 6, 8)
:8
Thus, LHS = RHS.
And it can be said that Maximum and Minimum functions
follow the distributive property.