homework help: i need help on my math homework - Help.com

What is the problem?

Distributive propety?
I think it goes something like A*(B + C) = A*B + A*C

Just remember the letters are variables that represent numbers:

Here’s an example with numbers:
3 * (2 + 4) = 3*2 + 3*4

Pretty much, all this proof does is allow you to multipy each term in the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis.

It can also look like this if there are three terms in the parenthesis:
3 * (1 - 2 + 6) = 3*1 + 3*(-2) + 3*6

For a more in depth explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distribu…

What does the little “*” mean?

The asterik (*) in math means multiply. I didn’t use “x” because I didn’t want people to mistake the sign for a variable.

I thought the dot that’s halfway up meant multiply.

Yeah, you’re right, the dot usually means multipy (vectors are the only exception I can think of). But keyboards don’t have that character. Also, in computer programming they usually use the asterik “*” for multiplication operations.

Yeah, I looked for one, but I couldn’t find it; so I assumed that was the reason; but there’s no way to know for sure if you don’t ask.