Three basic properties of numbers are the commutative, associative, and distributive properties. These are called properties but are really rules because the calculations always follow the properties.

Commutative property: It doesn't matter what the order of the numbers is, it means the same. Commute means to move, so it means no matter where you move the numbers, the answer is the same.

a+b = b+a

c+a = a+c

Associative property: It doesn't matter how you group the numbers, the answer is the same. Associative means to associate, so however the numbers are associated, the answer is the same.

(a+b)+c = (b+c)+a

(axb)xc = (bxc)xc

Distributive property: This is the property for multiplication and division. It means that the numbers inside the parentheses are multiplied by the numbers outside the parentheses. B and C are multiplied by A, and this is the way you write it in algebra. For division, it means that both A and B are divided by C. (The slash mark / means divide; for example, 10/2 = 5)

a(b+c) = ab+ac

a(b-c) = ab-ac

(a+b)/c = a/c +b/c

Number properties rule how the math operations work and relate to one another. Learning these is essential to learning to calculate math problems correctly.

Review

Now that you have studied this lesson, write a summary of the concepts in your own words. Your summary should contain a description of the Commutative, Associative, and Distributive properties.