College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter R - Section R.1 - Real Numbers - R.1 Assess Your Understanding - Page 17: 108

Answer

Division is not associative.

Work Step by Step

Division is associative if for all real numbers $a, b$ and $c$: $(a \div b) \div c = a \div (b \div c)$. When $a=6, b=1,$ and $c=2$: $(a \div b) \div c = (6 \div 1) \div 2 = 6 \div 2 = 3$ while $a \div (b \div c) = 6 \div (1 \div 2) = 6 \div \frac{1}{2} = 12$ Note that $(a \div b) \div c \ne a \div (b \div c)$ Therefore, division is not associative.
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