Question

5×4=
( × ) + ( × )
+

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the array of circles

The circle array has 5 rows and 4 columns. We can split 5 into, say, 3 and 2 (any split of 5 works, e.g., 4 + 1, 3 + 2). Let's use 3 and 2.

Step2: Apply distributive property

Using the distributive property \(a\times(b + c)=a\times b+a\times c\), here \(a = 4\), \(b = 3\), \(c = 2\) (since \(3+2 = 5\)). So \(5\times4=(3\times4)+(2\times4)\).

Step3: Calculate each product

\(3\times4 = 12\) and \(2\times4 = 8\).

Step4: Add the products

\(12+8 = 20\) (and \(5\times4 = 20\) to verify).

Answer:

\((3\times4)+(2\times4)\) (or other valid splits like \((4\times4)+(1\times4)\), etc.), and \(12 + 8\) (or corresponding sums) gives \(20\). The boxed answer for the multiplication split (e.g., with 3, 4, 2, 4) and sum is \(\boldsymbol{(3\times4)+(2\times4)=12 + 8 = 20}\) (specific numbers depend on the split, but the final product of \(5\times4\) is \(20\)).