Question

It says to:
Use the Distributive Property to show that the following are true statements:
8.5m + 1.3m = 9.8m

What does it mean to use the distributive property? Can't i just add the first two terms?

Answer 1

Yes, that's what you would do,

but, they want you to show "why" that works, I guess, so ...

8.5m + 1.3m
= m(8.5 + 1.3)
= m(9.8
= 9.8m

(sort of like removing a mole-hill with a bulldozer)

Answer 2

define ability grouping