Question

Which expression could be used to determine the product of –4 and 3 and one-fourth?
(negative 4) (3) times (negative 4) (one-fourth)
(negative 4) (3) + (negative 4) (one-fourth)
(3) (negative 4) times (3) (one-fourth)
(3) (negative 4) + (3) (one-fourth)

Answer 1

Interpret 3 and one-fourth as the mixed number 3 1/4 = 3 + 1/4. Using the distributive property:

(-4)(3 + 1/4) = (-4)(3) + (-4)(1/4).

So the correct choice is: (negative 4)(3) + (negative 4)(one-fourth). It equals -12 + (-1) = -13.