Question

Maggie used the commutative property to write StartFraction 4 Over 5 EndFraction + 6.9 y minus 8 as the equivalent expression 6.9 y + 8 minus StartFraction 4 Over 5 EndFraction. Did Maggie apply the commutative property correctly? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Maggie did not apply the law correctly

Explanation:

Given 3 numbers A, B and C, for a commutative property

(A+B)+C = C+(A+B)

This shows that the remains the same no matter what values comes first

For the given expression

4/5+6.9y-8 = 6.9y+8-4.5

The values are not commutative because of the presence of negative sign. For the expression to be commutative, they must be equal no matter the way it is arranged and the sign must be positive all through for both sides. Hence Maggie did not apply the law correctly