Example

Simplifying −5(2−3a)-5(2 - 3a) Using the Distributive Property

To simplify the expression −5(2−3a)-5(2 - 3a), apply the distributive property by multiplying the negative factor −5-5 by each term inside the parentheses.

Step 1 — Distribute: Multiply −5-5 by 22 and −5-5 by −3a-3a: (−5)(2)−(−5)(3a)(-5)(2) - (-5)(3a)

Step 2 — Multiply: Compute each product. For the first term, (−5)(2)=−10(-5)(2) = -10. For the second term, (−5)(3a)=−15a(-5)(3a) = -15a. The expression becomes: −10−(−15a)-10 - (-15a)

Step 3 — Simplify: Subtracting a negative is equivalent to adding a positive, so −(−15a)=+15a-(-15a) = +15a: −10+15a-10 + 15a

This result can also be written as 15a−1015a - 10 by using the commutative property of addition.

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Updated 2026-06-05

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