Question

Use the distributive property to fill in the blanks below.

(5 x 8) + (5 x 7) = 5 x (blank + blank)

(fill in the blanks please)

Answer 1

5 x (8 + 7)

Explanation:

This shows the distributive property. Here, the common factor is "a", so you take it out of brackets.

`ab +ac = a(b + c)`

*Note that 'a' and 'b' are multiplying. 'a' and 'c' are multiplying.

This is the problem we're solving. Here, the common factor is "5", so you can take it out by dividing everything by 5.

(5 x 8) ÷ 5 = 8

(5 x 7) ÷ 5 = 7

When you take out the common factor by dividing, write it outside of brackets.

`(5 x 8) + (5 x 7)`

`= 5x((5x8)/(5) + (5x7)/(5))`

`= 5x(8 + 7)`

8 and 7 go in the blanks.