Tom is showing his work in simplifying (5.2 – 8.5) – 0.5 + 6.8. In which step did Tom make an error?

Step 1:: (5.2 – 8.5) – 0.5 + 6.8

Step 2: 5.2 + (–8.5 – 0.5) + 6.8 (distributive property)

Step 3: 5.2 – 9 + 6.8

Step 4: 5.2 + 6.8 – 9 (commutative property)

Step 5: 12 – 9 = 3

3 answers

In step 2.

5.2 + ( – 8.5 – 0.5 ) + 6.8

This is associative property, because he just ragrouped the terms.
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chii[ken nw993t