Example

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

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

Step 1 β€” Distribute: Multiply βˆ’5-5 by 22 and βˆ’5-5 by βˆ’3a-3a: (βˆ’5)(2)βˆ’(βˆ’5)(3a)(-5)(2) - (-5)(3a)

Step 2 β€” Multiply: Compute each product. For the first term, (βˆ’5)(2)=βˆ’10(-5)(2) = -10. For the second term, (βˆ’5)(3a)=βˆ’15a(-5)(3a) = -15a. The expression becomes: βˆ’10βˆ’(βˆ’15a)-10 - (-15a)

Step 3 β€” Simplify: Subtracting a negative is equivalent to adding a positive, so βˆ’(βˆ’15a)=+15a-(-15a) = +15a: βˆ’10+15a-10 + 15a

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

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Updated 2026-05-25

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