Question

Use the distributive property to rewrite the expression without parentheses. $$ 5(w-8) $$

Short answer

The equivalent expression without parentheses is \(5w - 40\).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the terms inside the parentheses

In the expression \(5(w-8)\), the terms inside the parentheses are \(w\) and \(-8\). The number outside the parentheses is \(5\).

Apply the distributive property

Apply the distributive property by multiplying each term inside the parentheses by the number outside the parentheses. The distributive property states that i.e. \(a(b-c) = ab - ac\). Thus, for our case, we get: \(5w - 5*8\).

Simplify the multiplication

Carry out the multiplication operation. That is, \(5*8\) equals \(40\). This results to: \(5w - 40\).