How do you use the distributive property to simplify #-2(z-4)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-10T15:06:15

See the entire simplification process below:

Multiply each term in the parenthesis by #color(red)(-2)#. Be sure to manage the signs of the individual terms correctly:

#(color(red)(-2) xx z) + (color(red)(-2) xx -4) ->#

#-2z + 8#

or

#8 - 2z#

Answer 2 · 2017-02-10T15:07:00

See explanation.

The distributive property states that for every real numbers #a,b# and #c#

#axx(b+-c)=axxb+-axxc#

If we apply this rule to the example we get:

#-2xx(z-4)=-2xxz-(-2)xx4=-2z+8#