What is the distributive property of 12+16?

Answer 1

Since the distributive property means a x (b+c) = ab+ac, then we need to find a common factor of 12 and 16. A common factor of 12 and 16 is 4. So, if we pull out the 4 and multiply it by the common factor need to equal 12 or 16, then we found our numbers to demonstrate the distributive property.

4 ( 3 + 4) = 4 x 3 + 4 x 4

12 + 16 = 28 (right side of equation)

--- or ---

(left side of equation) 4 (7)

28

Answer 2

As an equation, the distributive property is: a(b+c) = ab + ac

12 + 16

3*4 + 4*4 [factors of these two numbers; 4 is a common factor)

4*3 + 4*4 [use the Commutative Property]

4(3+4)