Question

Show how you could use a commutative property to simplify the evaluation of the expression -7/16 -1/4-5/16

Answer 1

In commutative property , we can add numbers in any order.

Here we are given with fractions

We can add or subtract fractions in any order

$-\frac{7}{16} -\frac{1}{4} -\frac{5}{16}$

We change the order of fraction that has same denominator so that we can add it more easily using commutative property

$-\frac{7}{16} -\frac{5}{16} -\frac{1}{4}$

The first two fractions have same negative sign and common denominator

so we add it

$-\frac{12}{16} -\frac{1}{4}$

Simplify the fraction 12/ 16

$-\frac{3}{4} -\frac{1}{4}$

Add the fractions

$-\frac{4}{4}$ = -1