SOLUTION: Explain how to distribute a negative number to expand an expression

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: Explain how to distribute a negative number to expand an expression      Log On


   



Question 164995This question is from textbook Connected Mathmatics
: Explain how to distribute a negative number to expand an expression This question is from textbook Connected Mathmatics

Answer by midwood_trail(310) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Here is the distributive rule:
a(b + c) = ab + ac
It does not matter if a is positive or negative.
We distribute the letter a by multiply a or -a by every term inside the parentheses to remove the parentheses. This is the purpose of the distributive rule.
SAMPLE:
-2(4 + 6) = -2(4) + -2(6) = -8 + -12 = -20