What's the opposite of "distributes"?

Question

doc.brown · Answer

$$a(b+c)=ab+ac$$

anonymous · Answer

division... Cause when you distribute it is multiplication. so technically i think it would be:

b/a+c/a..

doc.brown · Answer

I mean if I have $a(b+c)$ I say "$a$ is distributed"
Would I say in $ab+ac$, that $a$ is divided?

anonymous · Answer

no.... it is multiplied. Cause lets give them values... a=2 b=4 and c=3

2(4+3)= 2*4+2*3....

bibby · Answer

If you call a the common factor, it'd be clear.

doc.brown · Answer

...but it's the "distributive law".

anonymous · Answer

and to distribute just means multiply.

bibby · Answer

a IS divided though$$\huge \frac{ ab+bc }{ a } =  \frac{ ab }{ a }+ \frac{ ac }{ a } = b+c$$

anonymous · Answer

@bibby I am really confused as to why you did that....

bibby · Answer

because factoring out an a means dividing the term by a

anonymous · Answer

yeah, but we aren't factoring out in this case.... we are distributing....

doc.brown · Answer

I see my problem.  The distributive property goes both ways.

I distribute my undivided thanks.

bibby · Answer

I'm just showing how it goes both ways.

anonymous · Answer

okay... I gotcha. Makes sense.

bibby · Answer

I meant to do this, a(ab+ac)
                             ------
                              a

doc.brown · Answer

I got your meaning, thanks @bibby