Question

Show how you could use a commutative property to simplify the evaluation of the expression -7/16 -1/4-5/16

Answer 1

In commutative property , we can add numbers in any order.

Here we are given with fractions

We can add or subtract fractions in any order

`-(7)/(16) -(1)/(4) -(5)/(16)`

We change the order of fraction that has same denominator so that we can add it more easily using commutative property

`-(7)/(16) -(5)/(16) -(1)/(4)`

The first two fractions have same negative sign and common denominator

so we add it

`-(12)/(16) -(1)/(4)`

Simplify the fraction 12/ 16

`-(3)/(4) -(1)/(4)`

Add the fractions

`-(4)/(4)` = -1