A final method to simplify is known as distributing. Often as we work with problems there will be a set of parenthesis that make solving a problem difficult, if not impossible. To get rid of these unwanted parenthesis we have the distributive property. Using this property we multiply the number in front of the parenthesis by each term inside of the parenthesis. Examples `4(2x − 7)`

	`4(2x − 7)`
Multiply each term by 4	`=8x−28`

`−7(5x−6)`

	`−7(5x−6)`
Multiply each term by − 7	`=−35x+42`

In the previous example we again use the fact that the sign goes with the number, this means we treat the `−6` as a negative number, this gives `(−7)(−6)=42`, a positive number. The most common error in distributing is a sign error, be very careful with your signs! It is possible to distribute just a negative through parenthesis. If we have a negative in front of parenthesis we can think of it like a `− 1` in front and distribute the `− 1` through. This is shown in the following example. Example `−(4x−5y+6)`

	`−(4x−5y+6)`
Negative can be thought of as `−1`	`=−1(4x−5y+6)`
Multiply each term by `−1`	`=−4x+5y−6`