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

1 answer

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.