How would you use the distributive property to solve: 3p - 6q = 3(__?__)

Question

airyana1114 · Answer

Okay, so do you know what the distributive property is?

anonymous · Answer

Of course :)

anonymous · Answer

a(b + c) = ab + ac

airyana1114 · Answer

Okay, so then we're basically working backwards. How do you think they got 3p from a 3?

anonymous · Answer

Ooooh! I see! It's p - 2q, correct?

airyana1114 · Answer

Yes :) Good job!

anonymous · Answer

But this is a proof, so I have to show each step. I just did that by reasoning... What would the steps be? I'll give you a medal already tho. :) Thank you!

airyana1114 · Answer

Haha, okay thank you so I'm gonna take a few minutes and show you how, step by step. Is that okay?

anonymous · Answer

Yup! :D

airyana1114 · Answer

Step 1: Divide 3p by 3. This will give you 3p - 6q = 3(p?__)
Step 2: DIvide -6q by 3. This will give you 3p - 6q = 3(p - 2q)

airyana1114 · Answer

Does that clear it up for you? So if you have this problem again, you just divide by the number outside of the parentheses since we're doing the opposite of distributing. (Dividing.)

anonymous · Answer

Yep! Thanks so much! :)

airyana1114 · Answer

You're welcome :)