Question

Distribute -(x + 5) (I need this because i don't get distributing)

Answer 1

Answer:

$-x - 5$

Step-by-step explanation:

Hi there!

Distribution can look complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze! First off, let's check out the official definition (it looks confusing, but bear with me):

"Multiplying the sum of two or more addends by a number will give the same result as multiplying each addend individually by the number and then adding the products together."

Whoa! Let's break it down.

"Multiplying the sum of two or more addends by a number..."

An addend is just a number that you're adding to another number. In your case, the two addends are $x$ and $5$, since those are the numbers being added together inside the parenthesis. The sum of those numbers is $(x+5)$.

Right outside the parenthesis, you'll see a negative sign. When you've got a negative sign outside of the parenthesis, it means the same thing as multiplying what's inside the parenthesis by $-1$. We don't usually need to write the 1 because it's implied, but to be clear, your equation is equivalent to $-1(x+5)$.

So, multiplying $-1$ by $(x+5)$...

"...will give the same result as multiplying each addend individually by the number and then adding the products together."

In other words, you can find the answer by multiplying each of your two addends, $x$ and $5$, by $-1$, and then adding the two results together. Let's do it!

$-1$ · $x$ $= -x$

$-1$ · $5$ $= -5$

$-x + -5 =$ -x - 5

I hope this is helpful! Let me know if I can clarify anything.