Okay, so to answer your question, the distributive property just simplifies the statement. For example, let’s say a problem says:

2(3x-4)=16 OR 2 times (3x minus 4) equals 16

So we would multiply 2 times 3x, and then we would multiply 2 times 4. That gives us something like this:

6x-8=16

Now, we need to isolate the variable (x), so we add 8 to both sides. -8+8 equals 0, and 16+8 equals 24. So now we have:

6x=24

Divide both sides by 6 leaving you with:

x=6

To check it:

2(3(4)-4)=16

2(12-4)=16

2(8)=16

16=16

So your answer is correct!

The general equation is as follows:

a * (b + c) = (a*b) + (a*c)

example

2 * (5 + 3) = (2*5)+(2*3) [note how the 2 is distributed]

check the work:

2 * (5+3) = (2*5) + (2*3)

2 * (8) = (10) + (6)

2*8 = 10 + 6

16 = 16

You can also use negative numbers and variables

3 * (x-5) = (3*x) + (3*(-5))

= 3x + (-15)

= 3x – 15

For example:

5(3-1) + 4

First Step: Multiply 5 x 3, Multiply 5 x 1

Second Step: Rewrite 15 – 5 + 4

Third Step: Solve 15 – 5 = 10

10 + 4 = 14

3 (2+1)

The three here is the multiplier. You multiply 3 by 2 and 1. The answer is (6+1)

The number in front of the parntesis () is always multiplied by the numbers inside of them.

1+2(2-1)

1+(4-2)

1+(2)

3

Distribute the three to the x and to the 1.

3(x+1)=3x+3

4(5+4) = 4(9) AND it also equals 20 + 16.

It’s that simple

hope this helps

For example:

4(x + y) Mulitply 4 by x and y……..so the answer would be:

4x + 4y

another example:

2(5x + 3) Mutiply 2 by 5x and 3……so the answer would be:

10x + 6

Another example:

3(2x + 2y) Multiply 3 by 2x and 2y….so the answer would be:

6x + 6y

Hope I helped! Good luck!