Commutative Property of Addition

Swapping the order of addends never changes the sum: a + b = b + a

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About This Practice

Swap the two groups of blocks and count again: not a single block changed. 4 + 7 = 7 + 4 — swapping the order of two addends never changes the sum. That is the commutative property of addition, and both sides of the equation light up at once to prove it.

Two groups of blocks trade places while both sides of the equation light up at the same time: 4 + 7 and 7 + 4 give exactly the same total. Try another pair of numbers — no matter how the addends swap, the sum stays the same.

EasyEstimated Time: 10mincommutative propertyadditionoperation lawsaddendsgrade 4

How to Play

  1. Count the blocks in each group and remember the sentence 4 + 7.
  2. Tap Swap and watch the groups trade places along their arcs.
  3. Count the total again: did it change?
  4. Look at the equation: both sides light up together — 4 + 7 = 7 + 4.
  5. Tap New Problem for another pair of numbers and check that it always holds.

Learning Objectives

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