i need help explaining the difference between the distributive property and factoring

1 answer

distributive property

(a+b)(c+d) = (a+b)(c) + (a+b)(d)
= ac + bc + ad + bd

factor

ac + bc + ad + bd = (a+b)c + (a+b)d
= (a+b)(c+d)

so the same really, just moving in opposite directions