The distributive property is a fundamental principle in mathematics that describes how to multiply a number by a sum or difference. It states that when you multiply a number by a group of numbers added together, you can distribute the multiplication to each number in the group. For example, in the expression a(b + c), you can rewrite it as ab + ac. This property is useful for simplifying expressions and solving equations. It helps in breaking down complex problems into simpler parts. The distributive property can also be applied to subtraction, as in a(b - c), which can be expressed as ab - ac.