Problem: The first step in finding the product (3x+2)(x−5) by use of the distributive property in the form a(b+c)=ab+ac is:
Answer Choices:
A. 3x2−13x−10
B. 3x(x−5)+2(x−5)
C. (3x+2)x+(3x+2)(−5)
D. 3x2−17x−10
E. 3x2+2x−15x−10
Solution:
In this case a=3x+2,b=x,c=−5.
∴ab+ac=(3x+2)x+(3x+2)(−5).