Question

How do you solve `4(5-x)=8` using the distributive property?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, using the distributive property, expand the term in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

`color(red)(4)(5 - x) = 8`

`(color(red)(4) * 5) - (color(red)(4) * x) = 8`

`20 - 4x = 8`

Next, subtract `color(red)(20)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-color(red)(20) + 20 - 4x = -color(red)(20) + 8`

`0 - 4x = -12`

`-4x = -12`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-4)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-4x)/color(red)(-4) = (-12)/color(red)(-4)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-4)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-4)) = 3`

`x = 3`