Question

which property is used in the equation $-15(6 + 3) = -15(6) + -15(3)$?

a. associative property

b. multiplicative inverse

c. distributive property

d. commutative property

Explanation:

The distributive property states that \( a(b + c)=ab + ac \). In the equation \( -15(6 + 3)=-15(6)+-15(3) \), we have \( a=-15 \), \( b = 6 \), and \( c = 3 \), which matches the form of the distributive property. The associative property is about grouping (\( (a + b)+c=a+(b + c) \) or \( (ab)c=a(bc) \)), the multiplicative inverse is a number that multiplies to 1 with another, and the commutative property is about order (\( a + b=b + a \) or \( ab = ba \)), so none of these other options fit.

Answer:

C. distributive property