What is the difference between associative and commutative property? Also is there a way I can easily tell the difference and remember all 3 properties?

2 answers

a commuter is a person who drives back and forth to work.
Addition and multiplication commute because you can reverse the order and still get the same answer
a+b = b+a
ab = ba

The associative property says that you can associate the operations differently but still get the same answer
(a+b)+c = a+(b+c)
(ab)c = a(bc)

The distributive property says that multiplication distributes over addition. That is, take the multiplier and distribute it across each o f the parts of the sum
a(b+c) = ab + bc
3(2-5+8) = 3*2 - 3*5 + 3*8 = 6-15+24 = 15
this is the same as
3(2-5+8) = 3(5) = 15

As with most things, repetition helps your memory. Do a dozen problems for each property (many available online) and you'll never have to worry about it again.
Thank you this helped a lot!
Also if you can can you give me a online site to work out some problems?