Question

Apply the distributive property to factor out the greatest common factor.

Answer 1

Answer:

12 + 20 = 4(3 + 5)

Step-by-step explanation:

The distributive property is ab + ac = a(b + c), where

• a is the greatest common factor of the two terms ab and ac

Let us solve the question

∵ 12 = 1 × 12, 2 × 6, 3 × 4

∴ The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

∵ 20 = 1 × 20, 2 × 10, 4 × 5

∴ The factors of 20 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20

→ Find their common factors

∵ The common factors of 12 and 20 are 1, 2, 4

∴ The greatest common factor of 12 and 20 is 4

∵ 12 ÷ 4 = 3

∵ 20 ÷ 4 = 5

∴ 12 + 20 = 4 × 3 + 4 × 5

→ Take 4 as a common factor

∴ 12 + 20 = 4(3 + 5)