Solving for a Variable
Distribution Property
When an equation contains parentheses, one of the steps in solving the equation requires the use of the Distributive Property. The Distributive Propertyis used to remove the parentheses from a variable expression by multiplying every term within the parentheses by the value in front of the parentheses.
Example 12
Solve 9 = 3(5x - 2)
Step 1. Use the Distributive Property to remove the parentheses.
Step 2. Combine like terms in the resulting equation. Add 6 to both sides of the equation.
Step 3. Solve for x. Divide both sides of the resulting equation by 15 and simplify.
Step 4. Check the solution.
