How do you use the distributive property to rewrite and evaluate #5(7-4)#?

1 Answer
smendyka
Aug 22, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

To evaluate this expression using the distributive property, multiply each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

#color(red)(5)(7 - 4) => (color(red)(5) xx 7) - (color(red)(5) xx 4) => 35 - 20 => 15#

To validate this we can first evaluate the term inside the parenthesis and then multiply by #5# to ensure we reach the same solution:

#5(7 - 4) => 5(3)" or " 5 xx 3 => 15 #

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