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Lesson 9 of 11

The big picture

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6 min

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One rule, eight uses. The number outside reaches every term inside.

We Distribute, Yet Things Multiply — eight ideas, tied together
IdeaRememberExample
A free cutA cut never changes the total160 + 40 = 200
Over a sumThe outside number meets every term8 × (20+5) = 160 + 40
With a letterLetter or not, the same move3(n+4) = 3n + 12
Over a subtractionEach term keeps its own sign7 × (30−2) = 210 − 14
Two bracketsEvery term meets every term(x+2)(x+3) = x² + 5x + 6
CollectingOnly matching letter parts join3x + 2x = 5x
Squaring a sumA middle term, twice(3+4)² = 9 + 24 + 16
A chosen cutCut at a round number23 × 7 = 140 + 21

Part I, Chapter 6 is We Distribute, Yet Things Multiply. Your book also squares a difference. It also multiplies a sum by a difference.