SOLUTION: I dont really understand the distributive property, can you explain it to me

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Question 56423This question is from textbook Pre-Algebra Prentice Hall
: I dont really understand the distributive property, can you explain it to me This question is from textbook Pre-Algebra Prentice Hall

Answer by Nate(3500) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You simply take the coefficient times all the other variables.
2(3 + 5)
2(3) + 2(5)
6 + 10
16 Right?
2(3 + 5)
2(8)
16 Correct!
........
-2(8b - 3a)
-2(8b) - 2(-3a)
-16b + 6a Right?
Define: a = 2 while b = 3
-2(8*3 - 3*2)
-2(24 - 6)
-2(18)
-36
~> -16b + 6a = -16(3) + 6(2) = -48 + 12 = -36 Correct!