Proof of (a+b)(c+d)=ac+ad+bc+bd
This equation is a fundamental concept in algebra, often referred to as the distributive property. It states that the product of two binomials can be expanded as the sum of four terms.
Here's a breakdown of the proof:
1. Understanding the terms:
- (a + b) and (c + d) are two binomials, each containing two terms.
- ac, ad, bc, and bd are the four terms we aim to obtain after the expansion.
2. Applying the distributive property:
We start by distributing the first term of the first binomial (a) to both terms of the second binomial:
- a(c + d) = ac + ad
Next, we distribute the second term of the first binomial (b) to both terms of the second binomial:
- b(c + d) = bc + bd
3. Combining the results:
Finally, we add the two results from step 2 to get the complete expansion:
- (a + b)(c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd
Example:
Let's illustrate this with an example:
Suppose we have:
- a = 2
- b = 3
- c = 4
- d = 5
Using the equation, we can find the product:
(2 + 3)(4 + 5) = 2 * 4 + 2 * 5 + 3 * 4 + 3 * 5
Simplifying the equation:
5 * 9 = 8 + 10 + 12 + 15
45 = 45
Therefore, we have verified that the equation (a + b)(c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd holds true.
Conclusion:
This proof demonstrates the distributive property in action, allowing us to expand the product of two binomials into a sum of four terms. This principle is fundamental in algebra and forms the basis for many other algebraic manipulations and calculations.