Question

Challenge question. Prove that a*(b + c) = a*b + a*c

Answer 1

distribution property

Answer 2

yep, and I want a proof of it :-D

Answer 3

hahahaha ok... lets see...

Answer 4

so basically your question is, prove that the distributive property is true... right?

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

area assumptions allowed?

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

ok. lets try this:
a*(b+c) = "a" lots of (b+c)
= (b+c) + (b+c) + (b+c) + ...
= b + c + b + c + b + c + ...
= b + b + b + b + ... + c + c + c + ...
= "a" lots of b plus "a" lots of c
= a*b + a*c

this assumes you accept a+b = b+a as a given

Answer 9

http://www.jstor.org/stable/2973409

Answer 10

presuming that
a*(b+c)=1
=> b+c=1/a
to clear the fraction 1/a, multiply the whole system by a
=>a*b+a*c=(1/a)*a
a*b+a*c=1
=>a*(b+c)=a*b+a*c

Answer 11

its a field axiom , or assumption

Answer 12

I guess perl is right.