Concept

Multiplication is adding a number (the multiplicand) to itself a specified number of times. Instead of adding, multi-digit multiplication can be found by expanding the numbers and using the distributive property. The distributive property can be used to multiply a sum/difference by multiplying each addend/subtrahend separately and then adding the products.

Rules

1. Expand the multi-digit number. 
2. Multiply a (b + c + d) 
              = ab + ac + ad
3. Add the products.

Example

Use the distributive property to multiply.

Solution

Use the distributive property to multiply.

6 × 34 = 6 × ( 30 + 4) Multiplying can be seen as 6 sets of 34

6 × 30 = 180 which can be broken down into 6 sets of 30 = 180

+ 6 × 4 = 24 plus 6 sets of 4 = 24

6 × 34 = 180 + 24 = 204 which totals 204