The distributive property means you can multiply a number across a sum — 3 × (4 + 2) is the same as 3 groups of 4 plus 3 groups of 2. So this lesson runs on multiplication facts, adding inside parentheses, and seeing arrays as groups. Warm those up first.
Answer these 3, then press Show my path. No grade — this just points you to the right level.
1. What is 4 + 2 first, then 3 × that? (3 × (4 + 2))
2. What is 3 × 4?
3. A row of 5 dots, with 2 rows. How many dots?
The distributive property says a number times a sum equals that number times each part, added up. Think of an array: 3 rows of (4 + 2) is 3 rows of 4 plus 3 rows of 2.
Your quick check picks one for you, but you can switch any time:
Level 0 Add inside the parentheses first, one step at a time.
A. Add inside first: 4 + 2 = ___
4 + 2 = 6.
B. Now multiply: 3 × 6 = ___
3 × 6 = 18. That's 3 × (4 + 2).
C. 2 rows of 5 dots = ___ dots
2 × 5 = 10.
Level 1 Spread the multiply across both parts.
A. 3 × 4 = ___
3 × 4 = 12.
B. 3 × 2 = ___
3 × 2 = 6.
C. Add those: 12 + 6 = ___ (this is (3×4)+(3×2))
12 + 6 = 18 — same as 3 × (4 + 2).
Level 2 Warm up straight into distributing.
A. 2 × (5 + 3) — add first, then multiply = ___
5 + 3 = 8, then 2 × 8 = 16.
B. (4 × 2) + (4 × 1) = ___
8 + 4 = 12 — same as 4 × (2 + 1).
1. 3 × (2 + 4) — add first, then multiply = ___
2 + 4 = 6, then 3 × 6 = 18.
2. (2 × 3) + (2 × 2) = ___
6 + 4 = 10 — same as 2 × (3 + 2).
You've practiced exactly what Lesson 6-5 uses. Time to dive in.
Start Lesson 6-5 →