Final answer:
The associative property can be used to simplify 14 (1/7 x 2/5) by regrouping it as (14 x 1/7) x 2/5, which simplifies to 2 x 2/5, and then evaluates to 4/5.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to use the associative property to simplify the expression 14 (1/7 x 2/5). The associative property allows us to regroup the numbers within a multiplication operation without changing the result, which can make calculations easier.
To apply the associative property, we look at the numbers being multiplied and see if regrouping could simplify the process. Here, we notice that 14 is a multiple of 1/7. According to the associative property, we can regroup them as (14 x 1/7) x 2/5, which simplifies to 2 x 2/5 since 14 x 1/7 equals 2. Now, the expression is easier to evaluate since 2 x 2/5 is a simpler multiplication.
Thus, using the associative property, the expression becomes:
2 x 2/5 = 4/5