Question

Write the equal sign if the equality holds; otherwise, write the not equal sign . Then, explain and support your answer.

1. 9(1 + 7) = 9(1 + 7)

Answer 1

The correct symbol to use for the expression 9(1 + 7) = 9(1 + 7) is the equal sign since both sides, when calculated, yield the same result of 72.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expression given is 9(1 + 7) = 9(1 + 7). When we calculate each side, we apply multiplication to the terms inside the parentheses. Since we are performing the same operation on both sides, which is 9 multiplied by the sum of 1 and 7, this will result in equal values on each side of the equation.

The left side is 9 x 8, which equals 72, and the right side is also 9 x 8, which equals 72 as well. Since both sides equal 72, the correct symbol to write would be the equal sign because the equality holds true.