Question

Which equation applies the associative property of multiplication?

a) 12 × (−5) = (−1) × (20)
b) 5 + (−3) = (1) + (−7)
c) 4 × (−3) = ($1) × (−3)
d) (−1) + ((−1) + ((−1) + (−3))) = ((−1) + (−1)) + ((−1) + (−3))

Answer 1

d) (−1) + ((−1) + ((−1) + (−3))) = ((−1) + (−1)) + ((−1) + (−3)). The equation that applies the associative property of multiplication is d) (-1) + ((-1) + ((-1) + (-3))) = ((-1) + (-1)) + ((-1) + (-3)).

Step-by-step explanation:

To apply the associative property of multiplication, we need to have three numbers being multiplied together. The only equation that satisfies this condition is option d) (−1) + ((−1) + ((−1) + (−3))) = ((−1) + (−1)) + ((−1) + (−3)).

Here, we have four negative numbers being added and grouped differently using parentheses. By applying the associative property, we can regroup the numbers and perform the additions in any order. In this case, we can start by adding the first two negative numbers, then add the remaining two negative numbers, and finally add those two sums together.