Introduction
The distributive property of real numbers can be illustrated geometrically, as shown in the figure below.
Rectangle PQST is made up of two smaller rectangles, namely, rectangles PQRU and RSTU. Thus, the area of rectangle PQRT is equal to the sum of the areas of rectangles PQRU and RSTU. With
PQ = a,
QR = b,
RS = C,
and QS = b + c,
you will have
In this lesson, you will learn about special products. You will also learn that the distributive property is applied in multiplying polynomials involving special products.
