Final answer:
To evaluate 7 times 8 4/5 using the distributive property, convert 8 4/5 into an improper fraction, multiply by 7, and sum the products, resulting in 61 3/5.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distributive property allows us to multiply a number by a sum by multiplying each addend separately and then adding the products together. In the case of 7 times 8 4/5, first, you convert 8 4/5 into an improper fraction which is (8 × 5) + 4 = 44/5. Then you use the distributive property to multiply 7 by both 8 (or 40/5) and 4/5 separately. Finally, you add the two products together:
Adding 56 and 5 3/5, you get 61 3/5. Therefore, 7 × 8 4/5 equals 61 3/5.