document.write( "Question 787261: Why does the commutative property apply only to addition and multiplication, and not to subtraction and division? Explain and provide examples to show why the commutative property does not hold for subtraction or division. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #478158 by jim_thompson5910(35256)\"\" \"About 
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Example of why subtraction is NOT commutative\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "2 - 1 = 1 - 2\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1 = -1\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "which is false, so that's one example why \"x-y=y-x\" isn't true in general.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Example of why division is NOT commutative\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "2/1 = 1/2\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1 = 0.5\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "which is false, so that's one example why \"x%2Fy=y%2Fx\" isn't true in general.\r
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