Swapping (Commutativity Property)
When you add two or more numbers, you can change their order, and the sum will stay the same.
Example:
\(8 + (-3) = 5\)
\((-3) + 8 = 5\)
So, changing the order of terms does not change the value.
Grouping (Associative Property)
When you add three or more numbers, you can group them in any way, and the sum will still be the same.
Example:
\((-7) + 10 + (-4)\)
\(=\) \([(-7) + 10] + (-4) = 3 + (-4) = -1\)
\(=\) \((-7) + [10 + (-4)] = (-7) + 6 = -1\)
So, changing the grouping of numbers does not change the value.
In addition you can swap or group numbers any way you like - the final sum remains the same.