Question

What is the left side of the equation -1/2 (12p - 42) = -33 after the Distributive Property is applied?

A. -6p - 21
B. -6p + 21
C. 6p - 21
D. 6p + 21

Answer 1

To apply the Distributive Property to the left side of the equation \(-\frac{1}{2} (12p - 42)\), we multiply \(-\frac{1}{2}\) by each term inside the parentheses.

1. Multiply \(-\frac{1}{2}\) by \(12p\):
\[
-\frac{1}{2} \cdot 12p = -6p
\]

2. Multiply \(-\frac{1}{2}\) by \(-42\):
\[
-\frac{1}{2} \cdot -42 = 21
\]

Now, combine these results:
\[
-\frac{1}{2} (12p - 42) = -6p + 21
\]

Thus, the left side of the equation after applying the Distributive Property is:
\[
-6p + 21
\]

So the correct answer is:
**B. -6p + 21**