Which equation demonstrates the commutative property for multiplication?

Which equation demonstrates the commutative property for multiplication?

• A. a−b = b−a
• B. a+b = a−b
• C. (a×b)×c = a×(b×c)
• D. a×b = b×a

Answer: (D)

The commutative property for multiplication means you can swap the order of the factors and the product stays the same. The equation a×b = b×a directly shows that swapping a and b doesn’t change the result. For example, 3×8 = 8×3 = 24. The other ideas are different concepts or operations: subtraction in reverse order isn’t generally equal, and equating addition with subtraction isn’t a valid property. The third idea expresses associativity (grouping), not commutativity. So this equation cleanly demonstrates the commutative property for multiplication.

The commutative property for multiplication means you can swap the order of the factors and the product stays the same. The equation a×b = b×a directly shows that swapping a and b doesn’t change the result. For example, 3×8 = 8×3 = 24. The other ideas are different concepts or operations: subtraction in reverse order isn’t generally equal, and equating addition with subtraction isn’t a valid property. The third idea expresses associativity (grouping), not commutativity. So this equation cleanly demonstrates the commutative property for multiplication.