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No, the associative property only applies to addition and multiplication, not subtraction or division. Here is an example which shows why it cannot work with subtraction:

(6-4)-2=0

6-(4-2)=4

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Q: Can you apply the associative property to subtraction?
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Continue Learning about Algebra

Do the commutative and associative laws apply to vector subtraction?

No, changing order of vectors in subtraction give different resultant so commutative and associative laws do not apply to vector subtraction.


What is subtraction property?

associative, distributive * * * * * That, I am afraid, is utter rubbish. A - (B - C) = A - B + C whereas (A - B) - C = A - B - C These two are NOT equal so the associative property does not hold. Subtraction does not have the distributine property, it is multiplication that has that property with regard to subtraction: A*(B - C) = A*B - A*C


What is the definition of associative property?

The associative property of a binary operator denoted by ~ states that form any three numbers a, b and c, (a ~ b) ~ c = a ~ (b ~ c) and so we can write either as a ~ b ~ c without ambiguity. The associative property of means that you can change the grouping of the expression and still have the same result. Addition and multiplication of numbers are associative, subtraction and division are not.


What is the property that allows you to move parentheses in a problem and still get the same answer?

There is no property which allows you to do that in all cases. It is only possible in the case of the associative property for addition and multiplication. It does not work for subtraction or division.


Give an example to show that subtraction is not associative?

The associative property refers to mathematical expressions where the order of the number is totally interchangeable and will still yield the same answer. Changing the order of a subtraction problem will give you a different answer. For example, 4 - 1 = 3. When switched, 1 - 4 does not equal 3. It equals -3.