From the course: Learning Algebra: Pre-Algebra

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Proving the distributive property

Proving the distributive property

From the course: Learning Algebra: Pre-Algebra

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Proving the distributive property

- In this next chapter we will be utilizing the distributive property. The distributive property is one of the most used properties in algebra. We're going to begin by proving the distributive property. I believe it's important for you to understand how the distributive property works. Let's begin by evaluating the expression 3(2+4), using two different methods. For the first method we're going to use the order of operations. So notice that we have to complete what's inside of parentheses first. 2+4 is 6. And then 3(6) is 18. So 3(2+4) is equal to 18. For method number two we're gonna solve it a little differently. Since we're multiplying three times the two plus four we're going to actually multiply the three times the two and the four separately. So we're gonna start by multiplying three times two. Which is six. And then we're gonna go back and multiply the three times the four. And three times four is 12. When we add 6+12 we get 18. Which is the exact same answer that we arrived at…

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