For this case we have the following expression:
![-(1)/(4)(8 + 12) - (- 2 + 5)](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/okabkczuawe7w0zkrcyqdwodsffiptexsa.png)
By definition, the distributive property states that:
![a * (b + c) = ab + ac](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/ho6pouteamq8nvn2ibqhh660cwg78kzg7e.png)
Applying this property to the given expression, we have:
![-2-3 - (- 2 + 5)](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/b1s6mg40cvrkp8b0vjpmpyb8m1mvt5qt19.png)
Likewise, the distributive property associated with the law of signs is applied, where:
- * - = +
- * + = -
+ * - = -
+ * + = +
![-2-3 + 2-5](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/x0bl0qxjou2n9emlxkdiy82xo5fb1ohy1s.png)
Grouping:
![-2-3-5 + 2](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/lp9giofia4mq5tru6ayhep12jwbvae1aa4.png)
Resolving:
![-10 + 2 = -8](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/bmwtvtp39lv16041wb782yeoglch8d8gw8.png)
Answer:
The steps were:
Distributive property
Distributive property with law of signs
Algebraic sum