1 Evaluate the Circles of Evaluation below to help you decide if the Associative Property holds for problems involving addition.

(+ (+ 10 8) 3)

(+ 10 (+ 8 3))

(10 + 8) + 3 = ?

10 + (8 + 3) = ?

What do you notice?

These Circles of Evaluation represent the Associative Property of Addition, which tells us that when you add three numbers, it does not matter whether you start by adding the first pair of numbers or the last pair of numbers. Draw another example of the Associative Property of Addition with any three numbers, below. Evaluate each expression to confirm that they are equivalent.

2 Evaluate the Circles of Evaluation below to help you decide if the Associative Property holds for problems involving subtraction.

(​- (​- 9 5) 4)

(​- 9 (​- 5 4))

(9 - 5) - 4 = ?

9 - (5 - 4) = ?

Explain your response.

Draw another example like the one above to confirm what you observed about the Associative Property and subtraction. Evaluate each Circle to confirm your response.

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