Question

USING THE DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY Use the distributive property to simplify the expression. $$-p(p+1)$$

Short answer

The simplified form of the expression is \( -p^2 - p \).

Step-by-step solution

Applying the Distributive Property

The given expression is \( -p(p+1) \). The distributive property states that for all real numbers a, b, c: a * (b + c) = a * b + a * c. Applying this property to the given expression, if we take a = -p, b = p and c = 1, we get -p * p + -p * 1

Simplifying the expression

Now, simplifying -p * p would give \( -p^2 \) and then -p * 1 would give -p. So the entire expression simplifies to \( -p^2 - p \).