Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
commutative
Adjective
/kəˈmjuː.tə.tɪv/
Definition
Relating to a property of certain operations in mathematics where changing the order of the operands does not change the result.
Examples
- Addition is a commutative operation, meaning that 2 + 3 is the same as 3 + 2.
- Multiplication is also commutative; thus, 4 × 5 equals 5 × 4.
- However, subtraction is not commutative, as 5 – 2 does not equal 2 – 5.
Meaning
In mathematics, a commutative operation allows for the swapping of numbers, meaning that the order of the numbers involved does not affect the outcome of the operation.
Synonyms
- Interchangeable
- Reversible
