Question

Which property can you use to show that 3(4 - 6) = 12 - 18

Answer 1

To show that \(3(4 - 6) = 12 - 18\), you can use the **distributive property** on the left side of the equation.

Starting with the left side:
\[
3(4 - 6)
\]

Using the distributive property, which states that \(a(b - c) = ab - ac\), you can rewrite it as:
\[
3 \cdot 4 - 3 \cdot 6
\]
Calculating each part gives:
\[
12 - 18
\]

Now you have:
\[
3(4 - 6) = 12 - 18
\]

Thus, both sides of the equation are equal, confirming that \(3(4 - 6) = 12 - 18\) holds true.