DISTRIBUTIVE LAW, in algebra the law which asserts that a(b±c+d) = ab-l-ac-1-ad, one of two factors (a) being dis tributed, as it were, among the parts (b, c and d) of the other factor (b+c+d). Stated in words, the result of first adding sev eral numbers and then multiplying the sum by another number is the same as the result of first multiplying each of the several numbers separately by the other number and then adding the products. For example, 2 (5+3) = 2X8= I 6; and 2 X 5+2 X3 o+6=16. The law is equally valid for negative, fractional, irrational, and complex numbers.