-3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1 is it commutative or associative
The expression (-3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1) is neither commutative nor associative.
Commutative property: The commutative property states that changing the order of the terms in an addition does not affect the sum. However, in this expression, if we were to change the order of the terms, the sum would change. For example, (-3.8 + 5.7 - 2.1 + -4.2) would yield a different result.
Associative property: The associative property states that changing the grouping of the terms in an addition does not affect the sum. In this expression, there is no grouping of terms, so the associative property does not apply.
-3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1
The expression (-3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1) is -4.4.
To calculate this expression, you simply add the numbers together:
-3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1 = -8 + 5.7 - 2.1 = -2.3 - 2.1 = -4.4
The expression you provided is -3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1.
Commutative property states that the order of the numbers can be changed without affecting the result.
Associative property states that the grouping of the numbers can be changed without affecting the result.
Now let's calculate the expression step-by-step:
-3.8 + -4.2 = -8
-8 + 5.7 = -2.3
-2.3 - 2.1 = -4.4
Since the order of the numbers matters and changing it will affect the result, the expression -3.8 + -4.2 + 5.7 - 2.1 does not follow the commutative property.
Also, changing the grouping of the numbers will give a different result, so it does not follow the associative property either.