Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 10303
Learn how to multiply numbers quickly and easily with Mr. D Math! The distributive property helps you break numbers apart for fast mental math. Watch the video, practice, and apply it in real life!
Mental Math Magic!
Think fast!
Good news—there’s a math trick that can help! Mr. D is here to show you how to use the distributive property to multiply numbers quickly and easily in your head.
Check it out!
Breaking It Down
Watch the video below to see how Mr. D uses the distributive property to make mental math easier.
Now, apply what you saw in the video!
The distributive property helps you break apart numbers to make multiplying them simpler.
Take the given example
49 × 5
Instead of solving it as one big problem, break it apart into two easier problems.
49 is close to 50, so you can rewrite it this way.
(50 - 1) × 5
Now, distribute the 5.
50 × 5 = 250
1 × 5 = 5
Now subtract.
250 - 5 = 245
You just solved 49 × 5 in your head! The distributive property helps you break tricky numbers into ones that are easier to work with.
Now it’s your turn! Try using the distributive property to solve the Got It? problems without a calculator.