Distributive Property Calculator

The distributive property says a(b + c) equals ab plus ac, and this multiplies it out with each product written on its own line before the like terms are collected. It takes any number of letters, so 3(x + 4), 5(x + 2y + 3), a(b + c) and (2x + 3)(x - 4) all work, along with powers of a bracket and fractions in front of one. A second tab runs the property backwards and pulls the greatest common factor out of a multi-term expression, again showing how each term splits. Coefficients are held as exact fractions rather than decimals, so one half of 4x + 6 comes back as 2x + 3.

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Type the expression as you would write it. 3(x + 4), (2x + 3)(x - 4), 5(x + 2y + 3), -3(2x - 5) or 2(3x + 4) + 5(x - 1) all work. Letters are single characters, and ab means a times b.

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The property run backwards: ab + ac = a(b + c). Type a multi-term expression such as 6x + 9 or 12a^2b + 18ab^2 and the greatest common factor comes out of the front.

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