Distributive Property 16(2+1)

Question

Simplify where possible.

Answer 1

Shenya,

The distributive property allows us to work all kinds of magic later on in math.

You have the problem :

16(2 + 1)

When distributing, you are moving the outside term to the inside of the parentheses, but you have to distribute it equally.  So to distribute 16 into the parentheses, you multiply 16 times both terms inside.

16(2 + 1) = (16*2) + (16*1) = 32 + 16 = 48

 

To double check your answer, answer the problem using the standard order of operations precedence procedures.

16(2 + 1) = 16(3) = 48

Answer 2

The Distributive Property is an algebra property which is used to multiply a single term and two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

 

 For example  lets a(b+c) =  a*b + a*c