Question

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

Answer 1

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`