distributive operation

In mathematics, an operation, such as multiplication, that bears a relationship to another operation, such as addition, such that a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c). For example, 3 × (2 + 4) = (3 × 2) + (3 × 4) = 18. Multiplication may be said to be distributive over addition. Addition is not, however, distributive over multiplication because 3 + (2 × 4) ≠ (3 + 2) × (3 + 4).