Question

Which statement illustrates the distributive property?

A. 3(4+5) - 3(4) + 5
B. 3(4+5) - 3(4) + 3(5)
C. 3[(4)(5)] - 3(4) + 3(5)
D. 3[(4)X5)]- (3(4)][3(5)]

Answer 1

The statement that illustrates the distributive property is option B, 3(4+5) - 3(4) + 3(5).

Step-by-step explanation:

The distributive property states that for any numbers a, b, and c, the expression a(b + c) is equal to ab + ac.

In this case, the only option that illustrates the distributive property is option B, 3(4+5) - 3(4) + 3(5).

Let's break it down: 3(4+5) means we distribute the 3 to both the 4 and the 5, resulting in

3 * 4 + 3 * 5

= 12 + 15

= 27.

Then, 3(4) means we multiply 3 by 4, resulting in 12.

Finally, 3(5) means we multiply 3 by 5, resulting in 15.

So the expression becomes 27 - 12 + 15, which equals 30.