Question

Mason used distributive property of multiplication to help him solve the equation 3 x 7 = ________. Mason did not get the same answer for each side of the expression. Explain the steps required to correct his mistake.

3 x 7 = (3 x 3) + (3 x 6)
21 = 9 + 18
21 = 27

Answer 1

Explanation:

We can rewrite 7 as 3+4 then instead of 3*7 we have 3*(3+4).

Then distribute the 3 in the parenthesis 3*(3+4) = (3*3) + (3*4)