What you’ll learn
Apply operation properties to rational numbers.
Key idea
The distributive property multiplies every term inside parentheses, including a constant rational term.
Every grouped term is multiplied; leaving a rational constant unchanged breaks the identity, even if other products are correct.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
Use distribution to evaluate -5×((-1)+(1/3)). Enter the exact value.
- Distribution applies to each inner term: -5×(-1)+-5×(1/3).
- The products 5 and -5/3 add to 10/3, agreeing with -5×(-2/3).
Answer: 10/3
Quick Check
Evaluate a worked attempt at apply operation properties to rational numbers, identify the first invalid step, and provide the correction.
For -5×((2)+(1/3)), Step 1 distributes as -5×(2)+(1/3)=-29/3, leaving the second term unmultiplied. Locate the first invalid step and correct the result.