3. \( (0.25)(1+4)=(0.25)(1)+ \)

The equation you've presented resembles the distributive property of multiplication over addition, which states that \( a(b+c) = ab + ac \). Here, if we let \( a = 0.25 \), \( b = 1 \), and \( c = 4 \), we can break it down as follows: \( (0.25)(1+4) = (0.25)(1) + (0.25)(4) = 0.25 + 1 = 1.25 \). Now, for practical application: Imagine you're splitting a bill for lunch with friends. If the total is $5 and you decide to split it evenly among four people, you can use the same principle: \( (0.25)(5) = 1.25 \) to easily determine each person’s share. Don't forget to double-check your calculations! One common mistake is misapplying the distributive property and forgetting to apply it to all terms. Ensure you take both \( 1 \) and \( 4 \) into account when breaking down the multiplication. Happy calculating!