commutative
commutative — adjective
- commutativepositive
- more commutativecomparative
- most commutativesuperlative
1. used in mathematics for an operation where changing the order of two inputs stil
used in mathematics for an operation where changing the order of two inputs still leaves the answer unchanged, as with 3 + 5 and 5 + 3.
In class, Amani showed that addition is commutative: 4 + 7 = 7 + 4.
pattern: addition is commutative
Bao reminded the group that subtraction is not commutative.
contrast: subtraction is not commutative
Felipe checked each pair of numbers to see if the rule was commutative.
On the worksheet, Hui circled the commutative property beside the multiplication example.
After the quiz, Christopher asked whether the new operation was commutative.
- order-independent
plain-language explanation, not the usual formal textbook label
- abelian
used for groups and related structures, not for every operation
- non-commutative
standard mathematical opposite for an operation where order changes the result
- order-sensitive
plain-language opposite that explains the idea without the formal term
文法句型
[operation] is commutative
a commutative property
a commutative law
a commutative operation
用法筆記
Usually follows be or appears before nouns like property, law, and operation. Distinguish from associative: commutative asks whether you can swap the order, while associative asks whether you can change the grouping.