The distributive property is a fundamental concept in algebra that simplifies expressions and solves equations. The property is defined as:
. a(b + c) = ab + ac. In the problem given: 2a(0.5z+z^{2}), applying the distributive property means you distribute 2a to both terms inside the parentheses:
- First, distribute 2a to 0.5z. This gives you az.
- Next, distribute 2a to z^{2}, giving you 2az^{2}.
Combining these, the expression becomes az + 2az^{2}.
The distributive property helps you break down complex algebraic expressions into simpler, manageable pieces. The end goal is to eliminate parentheses, making the expression easier to work with in subsequent calculations.