The Commutative Laws of addition and of multiplication

The order in which things occur is often important. For example, putting your socks on first, then your shoes is a common experience. Putting your shoes on first and then your socks is unusual. Your shoes are protected, but it's very hard on your socks!

The order that mathematical operations are performed is important for some operations and not for others.

For example, 7 - 2 is not equal to 2 - 7.
But we see that 7 + 2 = 2 + 7.

The order of the numbers does not change their sum. Mathematicians call this -

The Commutative Law of Addition
X + Y = Y + X

Multiplication can be considered a form of addition. So it's not surprising that multiplication is commutative as well.

The Commutative Law of Multiplication
X * Y = Y * X

These Commutative Laws for addition and multiplication are powerful, indispensable tools for your math tool kit! Contact us!