How do you simplify #1/4 (a^2 + 12b) - (3a + 6b)#? Algebra Properties of Real Numbers Expressions and the Distributive Property 1 Answer Andrew012p Mar 4, 2018 #a^2/4 -3b-3a# Explanation: Given expression, #1/4(a^2+12b)-(3a+6b)# We get, #1/4(a^2+12b)-(3a+6b) = a^2/4+color (blue) (3b)-3a-color (blue) (6b) = a^2/4 -3b-3a# Answer link Related questions What is the Distributive Property? How do you use the distributive property with variables? Why is the distributive property important? When do you use order of operations and when do you use the distributive property? How do you simplify #7(x+2)#? How do you simplify #7(2x-8)#? How do you simplify #(x + 4) - 2(x + 5)#? How do you use the distributive property to simplify #0.25 (6q + 32)#? How do you distribute #13x(3y + z)#? How do you distribute and simplify #1/2(x - y) - 4#? See all questions in Expressions and the Distributive Property Impact of this question 1641 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License