Which of the following demonstrates the distributive property?ab + ac = ac + aba( b + c) = ab + acba = abac – ab = - ab + ac

To determine which of the given expressions demonstrates the distributive property, we need to identify the one that follows the pattern of distributing a common factor to each term inside parentheses.

Let's analyze each expression:

1. ab + ac = ac + ab This expression does not demonstrate the distributive property. It simply rearranges the terms, but does not distribute a common factor.

2. a( b + c) = ab + ac This expression demonstrates the distributive property. The factor 'a' is distributed to both 'b' and 'c' inside the parentheses.

3. ba = ab This expression does not demonstrate the distributive property. It simply rearranges the terms, but does not distribute a common factor.

4. ac – ab = - ab + ac This expression does not demonstrate the distributive property. It rearranges the terms and changes the sign of one term, but does not distribute a common factor.

Therefore, the expression that demonstrates the distributive property is a( b + c) = ab + ac.