Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which example illustrates the commutative property of addition?

1. 1 + 3 = 4

2. 1 + 3 = 3 + 1

3. 1 + 3 = x

4. 1 + 3 = 1 - (-3)

The correct answer is: 1 + 3 = 3 + 1

The commutative property of addition states that changing the order of the numbers being added does not change the sum. In this case, the example illustrating this property shows that if you add 1 and 3, the result is the same as adding 3 and 1, demonstrating that the grouping does not affect the outcome of the addition. This fundamental property is crucial in mathematics as it allows flexibility in calculations and problem-solving. By recognizing that 1 + 3 equals 3 + 1, one can rearrange terms for easier computation without worrying about changing the result. Other options provided do not exemplify this property; they either state a straightforward addition, represent an equation with a variable, or present a different mathematical operation involving subtraction and negative numbers. All these alternatives do not emphasize the concept of rearranging the numbers in an addition equation to achieve the same result.