How do you solve #2(1+m)=16# using the distributive property?

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-29T03:34:56

See the solution process below:

First, expand the terms on the left side of the equation by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

#color(red)(2)(1 + m) = 16#

#(color(red)(2) * 1) + (color(red)(2) * m) = 16#

#2 + 2m = 16#

Next, subtract #color(red)(2)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #m# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-color(red)(2) + 2 + 2m = -color(red)(2) + 16#

#0 + 2m = 14#

#2m = 14#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(2)# to solve for #m# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(2m)/color(red)(2) = 14/color(red)(2)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))m)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = 7#

#m = 7#