The distributive property for multiplication helps in solving expressions like a(b + c). It specifies that the result of multiplying one number by the sum or difference of two numbers can be obtained by multiplying each number individually and then totaling the results: a(b + c) = ab + ac. For example, 4(10-5) = (4 x 10) - (4 x 5) = 40 - 20 = 20.

A rational number (or fraction) is represented as a ratio between two integers, a and b, and has the form \({a \over b}\) where a is the numerator and b is the denominator. An improper fraction (\({5 \over 3} \)) has a numerator with a greater absolute value than the denominator and can be converted into a mixed number (\(1 {2 \over 3} \)) which has a whole number part and a fractional part.

The equation for this sequence is:

a_n = a_n-1 + 9

where n is the term's order in the sequence, a_n is the value of the term, and a_n-1 is the value of the term before a_n. This makes the next number:

a₆ = a₅ + 9
a₆ = 37 + 9
a₆ = 46

To subtract these fractions, first find the lowest common multiple of their denominators. The first few multiples of 8 are [8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80] and the first few multiples of 10 are [10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90]. The first few multiples they share are [40, 80] making 40 the smallest multiple 8 and 10 share.

Next, convert the fractions so each denominator equals the lowest common multiple:

\( \frac{5 x 5}{8 x 5} \) - \( \frac{9 x 4}{10 x 4} \)

\( \frac{25}{40} \) - \( \frac{36}{40} \)

Now, because the fractions share a common denominator, you can subtract them:

\( \frac{25 - 36}{40} \) = \( \frac{-11}{40} \) = -\(\frac{11}{40}\)

In order to find how many additional workers are needed to staff the extra crews you first need to calculate how many workers are on a crew. There are 6 workers at the company now and that's enough to staff 3 crews so there are \( \frac{6}{3} \) = 2 workers on a crew. 6 crews are needed for the busy season which, at 2 workers per crew, means that the roofing company will need 6 x 2 = 12 total workers to staff the crews during the busy season. The company already employs 6 workers so they need to add 12 - 6 = 6 new staff for the busy season.