SOLUTION: Okay,I totally don't get distributive,associative OR commutative properties. And I have a major test next week!! could someone PLEASE explain it? like how do you know which to use?

Question 99207: Okay,I totally don't get distributive,associative OR commutative properties. And I have a major test next week!! could someone PLEASE explain it? like how do you know which to use? and what's the first step?
Thanks!
Answer by Nate(3500) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Associative Property ~> it doesn't matter how you "associate" paranthesis
(2 + 3) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4)
(2*3)*4 = 2*(3*4)
Communitive Property ~> it doesn't matter how the elements are moved
2 + 3 = 3 + 2
2*3 = 3*2
Distributive Property ~> done by distributing a value
a(1 + 2) = 1a + 2a
4(b + c) = 4b + 4c
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