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Simplifying Using the Distributive Property
To simplify the expression , apply the distributive property by multiplying the negative factor by each term inside the parentheses.
Step 1 — Distribute: Multiply by and by :
Step 2 — Multiply: Compute each product. For the first term, . For the second term, . The expression becomes:
Step 3 — Simplify: Subtracting a negative is equivalent to adding a positive, so :
This result can also be written as by using the commutative property of addition.
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Ch.1 Foundations - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax
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Simplifying Using the Distributive Property
Simplifying Using the Distributive Property