Question

How do you use the distributive property to rewrite and simplify `15(f+1/3)`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, to use the distributive property, multiply each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

`color(red)(15)(f + 1/3) => (color(red)(15) xx f) + (color(red)(15) xx 1/3) =>`

`15f + 15/3`

To simplify, factor and cancel common terms for the fraction on the right side of the expression:

`15f + 15/3 => 15f + (3 xx 5)/3 => 15f + (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3))) xx 5)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3))) =>`

`15f + 5`