Question

Which equation demonstatres the distributive property?

A. 39 + 9 = 45

B. 39 + 3 = 39(12 + 3)

C. 36 times 9 = 9 times 36

D. (12 + 3)3 = 3(12 + 3)

Answer 1

B

Explanation:

The distributive property states that:

a(b + c) = ab + ac

Look at the choices:

A: 39 + 9 = 45

There's nothing of this form; in fact, there aren't even any parentheses, so eliminate A.

C: 36 times 9 = 9 times 36

This is saying 36 * 9 = 9 * 36. Again, there aren't any parentheses. Actually, this demonstrates the commutative property.

D: (12 + 3)3 = 3(12 + 3)

There are parentheses, but they're on both sides, so this can't be right, either. In fact, this is the associative property.

By elimination, the answer is thus B.

Answer 2

The rule of distributive property states that [ a(b + c) = ab + ac ].

So, we need to find an answer choice that contains that specific format.

Option A is incorrect because there is nothing to solve for on the right side.

Option B is correct because it contains the same format as the rule stated above.

Option C is incorrect because its the same as [ 36 * 9 = 9 * 36 ] and it's not in the same format as the rule.

Although Option D has half of the format in the rule, it doesn't have the other half containing what it looks like after the distributive property is appplied. So, this is incorrect as well.

Therefore, the answer is B.

Best of Luck!