Question

Sophia used the Order of Operations to simplify 4(5 - 2) to 4x3.

Jose used the Distributive Property to simplify 4(5 - 2) to 20 - 8.
Are they both correct? Explain.

Answer 1

• Yes

Explanation:

Order of operations, use the operation within the parenthesis:

• 1) 5 - 2 = 3
• 2) 4*3 = 12

Distributive property, a(b + c) = ab + ac:

• 1) 4*5 - 4*2 = 20 - 8
• 2) 20 - 8 = 12

Both ways are correct and lead to same result