Final Answer:
The expression that would be easier to simplify using the commutative property by changing the order of the numbers is: c) -40 + (-50) + 17.
Explanation:
In the expression -40 + (-50) + 17, applying the commutative property by rearranging the numbers won't change the outcome because addition is commutative (order doesn’t affect the sum).
However, by rearranging the terms, we can group the negative numbers together and the positive numbers together, making it easier to compute mentally. Rearranging the expression to (-40) + 17 + (-50), we can add -40 and 17 first to get -23, then add -50 to get the final result: -23 + (-50) = -73.
This demonstrates that while rearranging the terms using the commutative property doesn’t alter the outcome due to the nature of addition, it can aid in simplification by organizing similar terms together, facilitating a more straightforward calculation.
Understanding the commutative property is vital; although it doesn’t affect the result in addition, it can aid in mental math and simplification by reordering terms to make calculations more manageable.
In this case, it allows for grouping similar values together, simplifying the process and making it easier to perform the necessary additions, particularly when dealing with positive and negative numbers. Thus, option c) is correct.