Which shows how to use the distributive property to evaluate 6 • 78?

Question 3 options:

6 • (70 - 2)

6 • (70 - 8)

6 • (70 + 8)

6 • (70 + 2)

The answer is 6 • (70 + 8)

The correct option is 6 • 78 = 6 • (70+8)

Step-by-step explanation:

Given a multiplication we can decompose each number in an equivalent sum or subtraction expression to use the distributive property.

For example:

4 • 12 = 4 • (3 + 3 + 3 + 3) = 4 • 3 + 4 • 3 + 4 • 3 + 4 • 3 = 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 = 48

In this case, we express the number ''12'' as the sum of the number ''3'' four times.

In the exercise,

6 • 78 = 6 • (70 + 8) = 6 • 70 + 6 • 8 = 420 + 48 = 468

We decomposed the number ''78'' as the sum of the number ''70'' and ''8''.

It's always more convenient to decompose the greater number in the multiplication.

Another possible solution could be (using subtraction):

6 • 78 = 6 • (80 - 2) = 6 • 80 - 6 • 2 = 480 - 12 = 468

In the exercise, the correct option is 6 • (70 + 8) given that the other options are not equivalent to the expression 6 • 78