According to the Associative Property, which expression is equivalent to 30m+(21m−53)+(18−2m)?(1 point)

Responses:

(30m+21m)+(18−2m)
53m−35
(49m−53)+16
51m+(−53+18)−2m

1 answer

The Associative Property states that the way in which numbers are grouped in addition does not change their sum. Therefore, we can regroup the terms in the expression \(30m + (21m - 53) + (18 - 2m)\) to find an equivalent expression.

Let's look at the responses:

  1. (30m + 21m) + (18 - 2m): This is a valid regrouping of the terms and is equivalent to the original expression.

  2. 53m - 35: This representation appears to simplify the terms, but we need to check if it results from the original expression.

  3. (49m - 53) + 16: Let's check if this simplifies to the original expression. When expanded out, this would not directly correspond to the original grouping.

  4. 51m + (-53 + 18) - 2m: This rearrangement separates the constants and would require further simplification.

Since the question seems to primarily ask for an equivalent expression based on the Associative Property, the first option:

(30m + 21m) + (18 - 2m)

is the best equivalent expression.