distributivity

/dɪˌstrɪbjəˈtɪvəti/
noun
  1. The mathematical property that multiplication distributes over addition, allowing expressions like a × (b + c) to be rewritten as (a × b) + (a × c).
    • Students practice distributivity when they expand expressions like 4(x + 7).
    • Distributivity is a fundamental rule in algebra that helps simplify equations.
    • The distributivity of multiplication over addition works for both numbers and variables.
  2. The quality of being spread out or allocated among a group.
    • The system's distributivity ensures that no single server gets overloaded.
    • Economists study the distributivity of wealth to understand fairness in society.
    • The distributivity of resources across the region helped reduce inequality.
What does "distributivity" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean