Question

Jakob is asked to simplify the expression –3a + 4b + 5a + (–7b).

He writes: –3a + 4b + 5a + (–7b) = –3a + 5a + 4b + (–7b).

Which property allows him to do this?
the associative property
the commutative property
the distributive property
the additive identity property
A B C OR D

Answer 1

B — the commutative property. It lets you change the order of terms in an addition (a + b = b + a), so you can swap 5a and 4b.