Key learning points

1. 5 divided by ___ minus 3 divided by ___ is equal to 2 divided by ___
2. Where there is a common divisor, the dividends can be subtracted and the difference divided by the divisor.
3. The distributive law can be very useful for solving problems where there is a common divisor.
4. You can use brackets in an equation to show that you have used the distributive law.

Keywords

• Distributive law - The distributive law says that multiplying a number by a group of numbers added together is the same as doing each multiplication separately.

• Divisor - The divisor is what we are dividing by.

• Dividend - The dividend is the amount we are dividing.

Common misconception