Question

How do you simplify the distributive property ?

Answer 1

for example 2(3+1)

to solve with the distributive property you multiply the number outside the parentheses(2) with each inside number(3 and 1) individually.

2(3)+2(1)

now solve

6+2=8

now to check it by solving the regular way

2(3+1), 3+1=4 so

2(4)

8

we can see that the answers are the same.

to use the distributive property with x in it

for example, -3(x-6)

multiply the outside number(-3) with each inside number(x and -6)

-3(x)+(-3)(-6)

simplify

-3x-(-18)

-3x+18

hope this helps!