Which property states that a + b = b + a for all numbers a and b?

Master the Certify Teacher EC-6 (391) Mathematics Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations. Boost your confidence and excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which property states that a + b = b + a for all numbers a and b?

Explanation:
When adding numbers, the order of the addends doesn’t affect the result. This means you can swap a and b and still get the same sum: a + b = b + a for any numbers a and b. For example, 4 + 9 = 9 + 4, both equal to 13. This is known as the commutative property of addition. Other properties describe different ideas: the associative property deals with how numbers are grouped when adding (changing from (a + b) + c to a + (b + c)); the distributive property connects multiplication with addition (a(b + c) = ab + ac); and the identity property says adding zero leaves a number unchanged (a + 0 = a).

When adding numbers, the order of the addends doesn’t affect the result. This means you can swap a and b and still get the same sum: a + b = b + a for any numbers a and b. For example, 4 + 9 = 9 + 4, both equal to 13. This is known as the commutative property of addition. Other properties describe different ideas: the associative property deals with how numbers are grouped when adding (changing from (a + b) + c to a + (b + c)); the distributive property connects multiplication with addition (a(b + c) = ab + ac); and the identity property says adding zero leaves a number unchanged (a + 0 = a).

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy