Liz is using the distributive property to evaluate the expression 27 (36) by using friendlier numbers. Her work is shown below.

Liz’s Work


27(36)
Step 1
27 (3 + 12)
Step 2
27 (3) + 27 (12)
Step 3
81 + 324
Step 4
405

What was the first error that Liz made?
Step 1 should have been 27(6 + 30).
Step 2 should have been 27(3) + 12.
Step 3 should have been 27(30)(12).
Step 4 should have been 16,244.