Figure A maps to figure B with a scale factor 0.8

The distributive states that a(b + c) = ab + ac.

The distributive property is useful of simplifying parentheses.

Example:

3(x - 1) + 5 = 20

3(x - 1) expression can be simplified with the distributive property.

3(x - 1) + 5 = 20
3x - 3 + 5 = 20

After this you would combine any like terms and solve for x.

There can be also more than two terms in the parentheses:

a(b + c + d) = ab + ac + ad.