1. EXAMPLE 2
Writing Equivalent Expressions
Use the distributive property to write an equivalent expression. Check your answer.
a. –4(5 + 8)
b. 4(50 – 3)
c. 7(9) + 7(5)
SOLUTION
a. Expression:
–4(5 + 8)
= –4(5) + (–4) (8)
Distributive
property = ?
–20 + (–32)
Check:
–4(13)
Simplify.
–52
= –52
Answer checks.

2. EXAMPLE 2 b. Expression: 4(50 – 3) = 4(50) – 4(3) = ? 200 – 12 Check:
Writing Equivalent Expressions
b. Expression:
4(50 – 3)
= 4(50) – 4(3)
Distributive
property = ?
200 – 12
Check:
4(47)
Simplify.
188
= 188
Answer checks.
c. Expression:
7(9) + 7(5)
= 7(9 + 5)
Distributive
property = ?
7(14)
Check:
Simplify. 98
= 98
Answer checks.

3. EXAMPLE 3
Using the Distributive Property
Lava Lamps
You are buying 8 small lava lamps as door prizes for a disco party that your school is having. Each lava lamp costs $ Use the distributive property to find the total cost of the lamps.
SOLUTION
8(15.95)
= 8(16.00 – 0.05)
Write as a difference of a whole number and a decimal.
= 8(16.00) – 8(0.05)
Distributive property

4. The total cost of the lava lamps is $127.60.
EXAMPLE 3
Using the Distributive Property
= – 0.40
Multiply. =
Subtract.
ANSWER
The total cost of the lava lamps is $

5. GUIDED PRACTICE
for Examples 2 and 3
Use the distributive property to write an equivalent expression. Check your answer.
( ) + 6( ) 1 7 6
(12 – 5)
ANSWER
6( ) 1 7 6
ANSWER
8(12) – 8(5)
3. – 6(12 + 3)
(11) – 3(4)
ANSWER
– 6(12) + (– 6)(3)
ANSWER
3(11 – 4)

6. GUIDED PRACTICE
for Examples 2 and 3
6. What If? Suppose in Example 3 that each lava lamp costs $ Find the total cost of buying 6 lamps.
ANSWER
$107.40