Question

PLEASE HELP! Explain how applying the Associative Property of Addition to 7.5 + (2.5 + 4.9) makes it easier to simplify. Show the solution in your explanation.

Answer 1

Add 7.5 nd 2.5 first

Answer 2

The question asks you to explain

how using the property: (a+b)+c=a+(b+c)

will make your mental math easier.

So, look at the numbers in 7.5 + ( 2.5 + 4.9 )

It is easier to add 7.5 + 2.5, FIRST to get 10.0

rather than adding 2.5 + 4.9 first as the question is written: 7.5 + ( 2.5 + 4.9 )

The Associative Property of Addition states that you can add whichever two numbers

you want to do FIRST, and then add that sum to the third number:

(a+b)+c=a+(b+c)

Giving you 10.0 + 4.9 which is again easier to add because 10.0 has three zeros.

The final answer being 14.9.

Compare the above way to doing the question as it is written: 7.5 + ( 2.5 + 4.9 )

7.5 + ( 7.4 ) = 14.9 will help you understand the associative property of addition.