Question

Which expression would be easier to simplify if you used the commutative property to change the order of the numbers?

A. 30+(-12)+70
B. 60+40+(-25)
C. 1/3+2/3+(-1/4)
D. -10+(-20)+1/2

Answer 1

Answer: A. 30+(-12)+70

Explanation:

Commutative property of addition is given by : a+b = b+a , where a and b can be any expression of real numbers.

It basically changes the order of the so that simplification of any expression becomes easier.

In A. we use this property as

30+(-12)+70 = 30+[(-12)+70]

= 30 + [70+(-12)] [we switched order of (-12) and 17]

= 30+70-12

= 100-12

= 88

The rest of the expression already arranged accordingly, there is no need to apply commutative property to change the order of the numbers.

So the correct option is A. 30+(-12)+70.