Question

Lesson 8-5 Using the Distributive Property b (b + 12) = 0

Answer 1

The value of b is -12

Solution:

The given equation, b (b + 12) = 0

On distributing the b inside the parentheses we get,

$\Rightarrow\bold{ b\times b+b\times12=0}$

$\bold{\Rightarrow b^{2}+12b=0}$

$\bold{\Rightarrow b^{2}=-12b}$

$\bold{\Rightarrow 1=\frac{-12b}{b^2}}$

$\bold{\Rightarrow 1=\frac{-12}{b}}$

$\bold{\Rightarrow b=-12}$

Steps to use distributive property to solve an equation:

• Multiply the term outside of the parentheses by each term in the parentheses.
• Distribute a negative number together with its negative sign.
• Combine like terms
• Solve the equation.

For fractions:

• Identify any fractional coefficients or constants.
• Find the lowest common multiple (LCM) for all denominators.
• Multiply all terms of the equation by the LCM.
• Combine like terms and solve the equation.