Which of the following correctly shows the application of the Distributive Property to the expression (7i−8)(−2i−5) ?

1 answer

To apply the Distributive Property to the expression \( (7i - 8)(-2i - 5) \), we need to distribute each term in the first binomial to each term in the second binomial.

Let's run through the steps:

  1. Distribute \( 7i \): \[ 7i \cdot (-2i) = -14i^2 \] \[ 7i \cdot (-5) = -35i \]

  2. Distribute \( -8 \): \[ -8 \cdot (-2i) = 16i \] \[ -8 \cdot (-5) = 40 \]

  3. Combine all the results: \[ -14i^2 - 35i + 16i + 40 \]

  4. Combine like terms: \[ -14i^2 + (-35i + 16i) + 40 = -14i^2 - 19i + 40 \]

So, the expression \( (7i - 8)(-2i - 5) \) when applying the Distributive Property simplifies to:

\[ -14i^2 - 19i + 40 \]