Question

Use the Commutative or Associative Properties simplify the expression$-32\times 9\times \frac{5}{8}$

Short answer

The simplified form of$-32\times 9\times \frac{5}{8}is-180$.

Step-by-step solution

. Given information

Given expression is $-32\times 9\times \frac{5}{8}.$Simply the given expression using commutative property of multiplication.

. Description of commutative property of multiplication

Commutative property of multiplication: changes in the order of two or more element do not effect the product.

If a and b are real numbers, then$a\times b=b\times a$

. Simplification of expression using commutative property of multiplication

By using the commutative property to re-order terms, then we get$$\begin{gathered} -32\times 9\times \frac{5}{8}=-32\times \frac{5}{8}\times 9 \\ =-4\times 5\times 9 \\ =-180 \end{gathered}$$