Step by step
The question
Question: work out 8 × 53 in your head.
8 × 53
1 Split the number
53 is 50 plus 3.
We split it into tens and ones.
= 8 × (50 + 3)
2 Times each part
The 8 in front of the bracket multiplies every part inside.
8 times 50, plus 8 times 3.
= 8 × 50 + 8 × 3
This is the distributive property.
a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c
distributive property
Careful!
The 8 multiplies both parts.
Not only the 50.
Careful: not 8 × 50 + 3 ✗
3 Work it out
8 times 50 is 400.
8 times 3 is 24.
= 400 + 24
400 plus 24 is 424.
= 424
4 Check
Let's check with the other split: 53 is 60 minus 7.
480 minus 56 is 424 again.
So the answer is right!
8 × 60 − 8 × 7 = 480 − 56 = 424
Let's look back.
First: split the number.
Then: times each part.
Then: work it out.
Last: check.
Answer
= 424