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 number with an exponent (b^e) consists of a base (b) raised to a power (e). The exponent indicates the number of times that the base is multiplied by itself. A base with an exponent of 1 equals the base (b¹ = b) and a base with an exponent of 0 equals 1 ( (b⁰ = 1).

Use PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multipy/Divide, Add/Subtract):

2 + (5 + 4) ÷ 4 x 4 - 3²
P: 2 + (9) ÷ 4 x 4 - 3²
E: 2 + 9 ÷ 4 x 4 - 9
MD: 2 + \( \frac{9}{4} \) x 4 - 9
MD: 2 + \( \frac{36}{4} \) - 9
AS: \( \frac{8}{4} \) + \( \frac{36}{4} \) - 9
AS: \( \frac{44}{4} \) - 9
AS: \( \frac{44 - 36}{4} \)
\( \frac{8}{4} \)
2

The factors of a number are all positive integers that divide evenly into the number. The factors of 56 are 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 28, 56.

The equation for this sequence is:

a_n = a_n-1 + 3(n - 1)

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 + 3(6 - 1)
a₆ = 31 + 3(5)
a₆ = 46