Final answer:
The equation a - b = b - a represents the commutative property of subtraction, stating that the order of subtraction does not affect the result.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation a - b = b - a is an example of the commutative property of subtraction. According to this property, the order of subtraction does not affect the result. In other words, subtracting a number from another number is the same as subtracting the second number from the first number. Both sides of the equation are equal because the subtraction operation is commutative.
For example, if a = 10 and b = 5, then a - b = 10 - 5 = 5 and b - a = 5 - 10 = -5. Therefore, the equation holds true: 5 = -5.
Overall, the commutative property of subtraction states that a - b = b - a.