Use the distributive property to remove the parentheses in the following expression. Then simplify your resul

Question

Use the distributive property to remove the parentheses in the following expression. Then simplify your result if possible:

1/4(20+16)

Answer 1

Is this 1/4 * (20+16)

......or......

1/(4(20+16))?

i.e. is the (20+16) in the numerator or denominator?

First case: 20/4 +16/4 = 5 + 4 = 9
Second case: 1/(80+64) = 1/144

Answer 2

The thing is, you won't have to use the distributive property here because you can simplify the stuff in the bracket.

But if you were told to do it that way then there are two possibilities:

1) 1/4(20+16)
= 1/(80+64)
= 1/144

2) (1/4)(20+16)
= 5 + 4
= 9

Notice the differences in the two scenarios.

Note: This wouldn't be a problem if you asked this question on paper but on the computer, its just not possible to type "vertical" fractions. Therefore, you need the parentheses around the 1/4 if you want the entire fraction to be multiplied and not just the denominator. Remember, this is only required on the computer.

Answer 3

Distributive property is when you remove a parenthesis by multiplication. ( ) is basicly X'ing. So, this would be worked out like this: -5(3+y) -5 x 3 (multiply this and remember - plus/times a + equals a -) -5 x y (all you do is put them together to make a new number since there is a letter there) Since you have to do PEMDAS (Parenthesis, Exponants, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) first you would get rid of the Parenthesis by performing the above. Your answer should look like: -15 + -5y You have to keep the + sign because all you are doing is removing the parenthesis, you are not removing the actions inside of it.

Answer 4

36 x 1/4

Answer 5

i know this is probably wrong but....9?