Question

Subtraction is associative for which opeartions?

• A. Integers
• B. Whole numbers
• C. Rational numbers
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is D

None of these

6 - (3 - 4) ≠ (6 - 3) - 4, as 6 - (3 - 4) = 7 and (6 -3) - 4 = - 1. So subtraction is not associative for integers.
3 - (2 - 5) ≠ (3 - 2) - 5, as 3 - (2 - 5) =6 and (3 - 2) - 5 = - 4. So subtraction is not associative for whole numbers. $\frac{-3}{4}$ - ($\frac{1}{2}$ - $\frac{-1}{4}$) ≠ ($\frac{-3}{4}$ - $\frac{1}{2}$) - $\frac{-1}{4}$ , as $\frac{-3}{4}$ - ($\frac{1}{2}$ - $\frac{-1}{4}$ ) = $\frac{-3}{2}$ and ($\frac{-3}{4}$ - $\frac{1}{2}$) - $\frac{-1}{4}$ = -4. So subtraction is not associative for rational numbers.