Answer:
The expression is equivalent to 12 + 3 + (negative 7) because of the commutative property.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expression should be 12- 7 +3 = 8
The associative property allows you to put parenthesis anywhere in the equation as long it just addition and multiplication. In this question, we have subtraction(minus 7) so we can't use the associative property.
The commutative property allows you to move around a number as long as you didn't change its value or its group. Option C changes the value of the number so it's wrong. If you calculate it will give a different answer: 12-3+7=16
Option D didn't change the value so its the right answer.
