CALCULATE WITH CONFIDENCE

Arithmetic Operations

Distributive Property Calculator

Expand a × (b + c) or a × (b − c), then verify the grouped and expanded values exactly.

Exact arithmetic

Distribute a factor across two terms

Exact grouped and expanded forms

Exact result

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Enter valid values to see the result.

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Quick guide

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the factor outside the parentheses.
  2. Choose addition or subtraction.
  3. Enter both inside terms and compare the grouped and expanded forms.

Calculation method

Multiply the outside factor by every inside term

The distributive property states a × (b + c) = a×b + a×c and a × (b − c) = a×b − a×c.

The calculator evaluates both sides with exact decimal arithmetic and confirms that their values are equal.

Worked example

Distribute 4 over 12 − 7

Multiply 4 by both inside terms, then subtract the two products.

4 × (12 − 7) = 4×12 − 4×7 = 48 − 28 = 20

Supported inputs

Precision and limits

Exact decimal input

Each value may contain up to 200 digits, including up to 100 decimal places.

Two inside operations

Choose addition or subtraction inside the parentheses.

Exact equality check

Grouped and expanded forms are independently calculated and compared.

Private by default

Your entries are calculated in this browser and are not submitted with the calculation.