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Single Idea 15714

[from 'The Art of the Infinite' by R Kaplan / E Kaplan, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / f. Arithmetic ]

Full Idea

The 'commutative' laws say the order in which you add or multiply two numbers makes no difference; ...the 'associative' laws declare that regrouping couldn't change a sum or product (e.g. a+(b+c)=(a+b)+c ).

Gist of Idea

'Commutative' laws say order makes no difference; 'associative' laws say groupings make no difference

Source

R Kaplan / E Kaplan (The Art of the Infinite [2003], 2 'Tablets')

Book Reference

Kaplan,R and Kaplan,E: 'The Art of the Infinite' [Penguin 2004], p.33


A Reaction

This seem utterly self-evident, but in more complex systems they can break down, so it is worth being conscious of them.