Distributive Law Multiplication
logo for solving-math-problems.com
leftimage for solving-math-problems.com

Distributive Law Multiplication

What is (7+3)(a+b) answer?

Comments for
Distributive Law Multiplication

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Distributive Law Multiplication
by: Staff


The question:

What is (7+3)(a+b) answer?


The answer:

Approach #1: You can add the 7 and the 3 before you apply the distributive law:

7 + 3 = 10

(7+3)(a+b) = (10)(a+b) = 10*a + 10*b

= 10a + 10b


Approach #2: You can also apply the distributive law this way:

(7+3)(a+b) = 7*(a+b) + 3*(a+b)


Notice that (a+b) is first multiplied by the 7, and then (a+b) is multiplied by the 3. Finally, the results of the two multiplications are added together.

7*(a+b) = 7*a + 7*b = 7a + 7b
3*(a+b) = 3*a +3*b = 3a +3b

= 7a + 7b + 3a + 3b

= 7a + 3a + 7b + 3b

= 10a + 10b (this is exactly the same answer we got by initially adding the 7 + 3 before applying the distributive law)


The final answer is: (7+3)(a+b) = 10a + 10b



Thanks for writing.


Staff
www.solving-math-problems.com



Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Math Questions & Comments - 01



Copyright © 2008-2012. All rights reserved. Solving-Math-Problems.com