Question

Which expression is equivalent to 5x + 5y − 2z? Which property justifies the expressions being equivalent?

A) 5(x + y) − 2z; distributive property
B) 5(x + y − 2z); distributive property
C) 8xyz; subtraction property
D) 10xy − 2z: associative property

Answer 1

Answer: 5(x + y) − 2z; distributive property

Explanation:

5x + 5y - 2z is the equivalent of:

5(x + y) - 2z.

5 is a common factor to x and y, that is why they are factored together and z is left out.

The distributive property allows you multiply a sum by multiplying the addend separately and adding the products. In this example, the distributive property allows us distribute the 5 to 'x' and y.