Verified answer

The property that is presented given the equation 3(17) = 3(20) - 3(3) is the 'distributive property of multiplication over addition and/or subtraction'.

For additional information, please see also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributive_property

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/numbprop.htm

http://www.mathematicsdictionary.com/english/vmd/f...

http://www.mathcaptain.com/algebra/distributive-pr...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjZteP_VfSo

http://www.sparknotes.com/math/prealgebra/operatio...

http://mathwithlarry.com/lessons/lesson050.htm