Question

Which shows the best use of the associative and commutative properties to

make simplifying 2/7 - 17 + 6 - 5/7 + 1 easier?
A. [2/7+ (-17)] + [6+ (-5/7) + 1]
B. [2/7 + (-5/7)] + [6+1+ (−17)]
c. [1+2+(-17)] + [(-5/7) +6]
D. [ 2/7 + 6 + (-17)] + [1 + (-5/7 )]

Answer 1

B

Explanation:

Associative Property: arrange by groups

Commutative Property: rearrange the order

1. Commutative Property first (rearrange so fractions are together and integers are together, and positives come before negatives). **Remember to include the signs (operators) in front of each number!!

2/7 - 17 + 6 - 5/7 + 1 = 2/7 + (-5/7) + 6 + 1 + (-17)

2. Associative Property (group fractions separately from integers):

2/7 + (-5/7) + 6 + 1 + (-17) = [2/7 + (-5/7)] + [6 + 1 + (-17)]