help! does anyone know about distributive properties?

my fiance is taking an online course for school, and i was wondering if anyone might be able to help her/me.. does anyone maybe know a learning site regarding distributive properties? she has quizzes and homework regarding this subject, but she cannot really get a hold of her professor, i am thinking because it is an online class.. anyways, it is really stressing her out, and in turn stressing me out, and although i did well in math, i don't remember the 1st thing about distributive properties, it has been 16 years since we graduated high school...

so i would really appreciate any help, links to a site that might teach it a little bit, or something... like i was saying to her, someone had to teach me to ride a bike, tie my shoes, etc., it wasn't something i just knew, so she is having problems, and the fact that the professor is virtually unavailable makes it difficult, as well as that they think she should already know... so... help! and thanks to anyone who does in advance!

by the way, that makes me wonder, wouldn't it be pretty cool to have like a HELP forum? i mean, yes ATS is help, but a forum maybe for specific questions?

This might help:

Algebra Help

If you have specific questions I might be able to help further, although I am sure there are better minds here than mine!

By "distributive properties" do you mean the idea that if you multiply a+b times c you get ac+bc?

Yep, whatever is enclosed in parenthesis gets multiplied by that that lies outside.

The key with math is to keep it simple and to follow the basic rules.

Or are you referring to Distributors....I just hate crossing spark plug wires....

Just kidding !

reply to post by charles1952


you know, i am not sure... here's some examples..

-(-4m-3n+1)
-4(7-b)
2c-3-(7c-4)

Originally posted by schitzoandro
reply to post by charles1952

 

you know, i am not sure... here's some examples..

-(-4m-3n+1)
-4(7-b)
2c-3-(7c-4)

Yes, that is what it means. Just multiply what is outside to what is inside the paranthesis.

-(-4m-3n+1) = 4m+3n-1

-4(7-b) = -28 + 4b

2c-3(7c-4) = 14c^2 - 8c - 21c + 12 = 14c^2 - 29c + 12

Originally posted by schitzoandro
reply to post by charles1952

 

you know, i am not sure... here's some examples..

-(-4m-3n+1)
-4(7-b)
2c-3-(7c-4)

For me, the easiest one is the second example -4(7-b) is the same as [-4(7)] +[-4(-b)]. That's the same as (-28)+(4b). That works to 4b-28. But I don't know what form the instructor wants it in for a final answer.

The next easiest is the top one. That whole business in parentheses is being multiplied by -1 (except they didn't put in the 1 'cause its assumed.) That gives [-1(-4m)] + [-1(-3n)] + [-1(+1)]. That goes to (4m) + (3n) -1.

The last one is trickier. It can be rewritten as (2c) - (3) - [(1) (7c-4)] or (2c) - (3) - (7c-4) or 2c-3-7c+4 or -5c+1

I expect I've made a slip somewhere in here, but I tried hard not to. Hope it helps.

Charles1952

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher

 

-(-4m-3n+1) = 4m+3n-1

-4(7-b) = -28 + 4b

2c-3(7c-4) = 14c^2 - 8c - 21c + 12 = 14c^2 - 29c + 12

OutKast Searcher,

I'm curious. Why, in the third example, did you multiply (7c-4) by 2c-3 instead of by just -3? I could see it if 2c-3 were in parentheses, but I don't understand what you did.

Charles1952

reply to post by OutKast Searcher and charles1952


thank you both very much! and charles1952, i am not sure what form it is supposed to be in for the final answer. i will get my fiance to get on here later and look to see.... again, thank you all very much!