24 × 35 = 24 × 18 + 24 × ____
17
Goal: Find the missing number so the two sides are equal.
Step 1: Split 35 into two parts.
We already see one part is 18. So write 35 as:
\(35 = 18 + \text{(missing)}\)
Step 2: Work out the missing part.
If \(35 = 18 + \text{(missing)}\), then:
\(\text{missing} = 35 - 18\)
\(35 - 18 = 17\)
Step 3: Use the distributive property.
The distributive property says:
\(a \times (b + c) = a \times b + a \times c\)
Here, \(a = 24\), \(b = 18\), \(c = 17\). So:
\(24 \times 35 = 24 \times (18 + 17)\)
\(= 24 \times 18 + 24 \times 17\)
Conclusion: The blank is \(17\).