Question

Which of the following options illustrate commutative property?

• A. a + b = b + a
• B. a – b = b + a
• C. a ÷ b = a ÷ b
• D. a × b = b × a

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

The correct options are
A

a + b = b + a

D

a × b = b × a

If you take two numbers, do any arithmetic operation on them and the result is same, irrespective of the order you took them in, then those numbers are said to follow commutative property under that particular operation.

If you see options A and D, there are different operations between ‘a’ and ‘b’ and order of ‘a’ and ‘b’ is different on both sides of the equations. But in option C, the order in LHS and RHS is same; and in option B, the operators are different and hence they do not illustrate commutative property.

So, options A and D are illustrating commutative property for addition, subtraction and multiplication of integers respectively.