Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: Concepts & Applications (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32184-874-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-32184-874-1

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Algebraic Expressions - 1.2 The Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Laws - 1.2 Exercise Set - Page 17: 89

Answer

No.

Work Step by Step

No, subtraction is no commutative because it is a determination of the difference between two terms. $3+5$ and $5+3$, are simply adding themselves to each other. Both expressions only contain $3$ and $5$. With $3-5$ and $5-3$, it is really $3+(-5)$, and $5+(-3)$, containing 4 different numbers, $-5$,$-3$,$3$, and $5$. You can also see the how it affects the movement of numbers on a number line.
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