Commutative Property Meaning In Math
The word commutative originates from the word commute which means to move around.
Commutative property meaning in math. The property holds for addition and multiplication but not for subtraction and division. In basic math classes students may learn about the commutative property as it applies to multiplication and addition. Hence the commutative property deals with moving the numbers around. The commutative property states that order does not matter.
The property of addition and multiplication which states that a difference in the order in which numbers are added or multiplied will not change the result of the operation. The commutative property states that the numbers on which we operate can be moved or swapped from their position without making any difference to the answer. So mathematically we can define any binary operation as a commutative one if changing the order of the operands does not change the result of the operation. For example 2 3 gives the same sum as 3 2 and 2 3 gives the same product as 3 2.
Even in the later primary grades students may be studying the commutative property of addition with formulas like a b b a. Commutative may be defined as having a tendency to switch or substitute. See also associative property distributive property. Multiplication and addition are commutative.