Question

Which pair of expressions is equivalent using the Associative Property of Multiplication?

A. 4(2a ⋅ 5) = (4 ⋅ 2a) ⋅ 5
B. 4(2a ⋅ 5) = 8a ⋅ 20
C. 4(2a ⋅ 5) = (2a ⋅ 5) ⋅ 4
D. 4(2a ⋅ 5) = 4 ⋅ 2a ⋅ 5

Answer 1

4(2a ⋅ 5) = (4 ⋅ 2a) ⋅ 5

Explanation:

Let A, B and C be the required expression, according to Associative property;

(A+B)+C = A+(B+C)

This shows that no matter the sum of values in parenthesis, it does not alter the values at both sides.

From the given expression, the expression that is equivalent using the Associative Property of Multiplication is 4(2a ⋅ 5) = (4 ⋅ 2a) ⋅ 5

Note that the product of the values in bracket do not affect the final values

4(2a ⋅ 5) = 4(10a) = 40a

(4 ⋅ 2a) ⋅ 5 = 8a ⋅ 5 = 40a

You can see that both expressions gives the same values