Question

Subtraction of integers is an operation that is

• A. Commutative and associative
• B. Not commutative but associative
• C. Neither commutative nor associative
• D. Commutative but not associative

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Neither commutative nor associative

Explanation for the correct option :

Step-1 : Checking the commutativity

Let us consider two integers : $4$ and $7$.

Now,

$4-7=-3$ and $7-4=3$ i.e. $4-7\ne 7-4$.

So, the subtraction of integers is not commutative.

Step-2 : checking the associativity

Consider the integers $4$, $3$ and $1$. Then

$(4-3)-1=0$ and $4-(3-1)=2$.

So, $(4-3)-1\ne 4-(3-1)$

Thus, the subtraction of integers is not associative.

Hence option (C) is the correct answer.