Step by step
The question
Question: work out 6 × 47 in your head.
6 × 47
1 Split the number
47 is 40 plus 7.
We split it into tens and ones.
= 6 × (40 + 7)
2 Times each part
The 6 in front of the bracket multiplies every part inside.
6 times 40, plus 6 times 7.
= 6 × 40 + 6 × 7
This is the distributive property.
a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c
distributive property
Careful!
The 6 multiplies both parts.
Not only the 40.
Careful: not 6 × 40 + 7 ✗
3 Work it out
6 times 40 is 240.
6 times 7 is 42.
= 240 + 42
240 plus 42 is 282.
= 282
4 Check
Let's check with the other split: 47 is 50 minus 3.
300 minus 18 is 282 again.
So the answer is right!
6 × 50 − 6 × 3 = 300 − 18 = 282
Let's look back.
First: split the number.
Then: times each part.
Then: work it out.
Last: check.
Answer
= 282