Question

How do you solve `2(3a+2)=-8` using the distributive property?

Answer 1

The final answer will be `a=-2`

Explanation:

First off, what you want to do is use your distributive property to simplify the parentheses.

Take the 2 from the outside, and multiply it times the `3a` to get `6a` because `3*2=6`.

Then separately multiply that same 2 on the outside times the `+2` on the inside: `2*(+2)= 4`.

So then your simplified equation will read `6a+4=-8`.

After this, you have to still get the `6a` by itself, so you subtract `4` from both sides of the equation.

`4-4=0` on the left side, so that 4 disappears. You also have to subtract 4 from the other side too. `-8 - (4)= -12`.

Then you have `6a=-12`. Divide both sides by `6` to get `a=-2`. There is your final answer using distributive property.