Question

Use the commutative and :or associative properties to simplify 2/5 + 5/12 + (-2/5)

Answer 1

5/12

Explanation:

Use associative property of addition:

2/5 + 5/12 + (-2/5) = (2/5 + (-2/5)) + 5/12 ==> switch 5/12 and -2/5

(2/5 + (-2/5)) + 5/12 = ==> simplify

(2/5 - 2/5) + 5/12 =

0 + 5/12 = 5/12