Final answer:
The correct method that solves the equation using the distributive property is option A) (0.2x - 0.8 = -1.7).
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct method that solves the equation using the distributive property for the equation (0.2 (x - 4) = -1.7) is option A) (0.2x - 0.8 = -1.7).
To solve the equation using the distributive property, you need to multiply the term outside the parentheses, 0.2, by each term inside the parentheses, x and -4. This gives you 0.2x - 0.8 on the left side of the equation, which equals -1.7 on the right side of the equation.