What is Commutative Property?
Commutative Property tells us if we can swap the numbers around while undertaking a calculation, without making any difference in the answer.
In addition, the order of the numbers to be added doesn’t matter.
(£2 + £3) is the same as (£3 + £2).
In addition, we can change the order of the numbers to be added without making any difference to the answer.
Hence, addition is commutative.
In Subtraction, the order of the numbers to be subtracted matters.
£8 - £5 = £3
If we change the order, £5 - £8 = -£3, we don’t get the same answer.
Hence, Subtraction is not Commutative.
As subtraction cannot be done in any other order, we cannot use the inverse of subtraction(addition) every time to work the missing number.
7 -? = 3
In this case, we cannot use addition to work the missing number.
Here, we will use subtraction i.e.,
7 – 3 = 4
In multiplication, the order of numbers can be changed.
3 × 4 = 12
4 × 3 = 12
In multiplication, changing the order of the numbers doesn’t change the answer.
Hence, multiplication is commutative.
In Division, the order of the numbers to be divided matters.
10 ÷ 2 = 5
2 ÷ 10 = 0.2
If we change the order, we don’t get the same answer.
Hence, division is not Commutative.