Which equation shows the commutative property of addition?

• A. A + B = B + A
• B. A + B = A + B
• C. A + (-A) = 0
• D. A + 0 = A

Answer: (A)

The commutative property of addition means you can switch the order of the addends and still get the same sum. The equation that shows this is A + B = B + A because it states that adding A and B in either order yields the same result.

This idea is handy when simplifying or rearranging expressions, since it lets you place terms in the most convenient order. For example, 3 + 5 equals 5 + 3, both giving 8.

The other expressions illustrate different ideas: A + B = A + B just repeats the same sum and doesn’t demonstrate changing the order; A + (-A) = 0 shows the additive inverse property; A + 0 = A shows the identity property of addition.