3rd Grade Distributive Property (Break Apart) Worksheet
Use the distributive property: break a factor into two easier facts, then add the products.
- Homework
- Review
- Test Prep
- Tutoring
Download the Free Printable PDF
No sign-up required. Clean, low-ink US Letter format.
- Grade
- 3rd Grade
- Subject
- Math
- Skill
- Multiplication
- Topic
- distributive property (break apart a factor)
- Difficulty
- Standard
- Time
- 14 minutes
- Pages
- 2 (incl. answer key)
- Format
- Printable PDF (US Letter)
- Answer key
- Included
- Best for
- homework, review, test prep, tutoring
Worksheet details
What This Worksheet Practices
Students will use the distributive property to break a factor into two easier facts and add the products.
- Breaking a factor into two parts
- Multiplying each part
- Adding the two products
Worksheet Preview
Turn one hard fact into two easy ones
The distributive property is a powerful strategy: break a factor into two friendly parts, multiply each, and add. So 7 × 6 becomes (5 × 6) + (2 × 6) = 30 + 12 = 42. Students who don’t yet know a fact by heart can always rebuild it from facts they do know.
How to use it
Make sure the two parts add to the original factor, and remind students to add the products (not multiply them). This is the reasoning behind arrays and the area model, and it scales up to multiplication facts to 12 and beyond.
👩🏫 Teacher note
The distributive property (3.OA.5) turns a hard fact into two easy ones: 7 x 6 = (5 x 6) + (2 x 6) = 30 + 12 = 42. Stress that the parts must add to the original factor and you ADD the products.
🏠 Parent note
Split one number into two friendly parts, multiply each, then add. 7 x 6 = (5 x 6) + (2 x 6).
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Multiplying the two parts together instead of adding the products
- Breaking the factor into parts that don't add to it
Answer Key
Each answer shows the two products and the total.
⬇ Download Answer Key (PDF)Related Worksheets
Multiplication Arrays Worksheet
Connect rows and columns to multiplication by writing a number sentence for each array.
10 Times Table Worksheet
Practice the 10 times table through 10 x 12 - the easiest table, thanks to place value.
12 Times Table Worksheet
Practice the 12 times table through 12 x 12 by splitting 12 into 10 and 2.
2 Times Table Worksheet
Practice the 2 times table through 2 x 12. The 2s are simply doubles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this worksheet free to download?
Yes. You can download and print this worksheet for free, with no sign-up required.
Does it come with an answer key?
Yes — a complete answer key is included.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.