Allen is showing his work in simplifying −8.3 + 9.2 − 4.4 + 3.7. Identify any errors in his work or in his reasoning. Step Work Reasoning
−8.3 + 9.2 − 4.4 + 3.7 Original problem
1 −8.3 + 9.2 + 4.4 + 3.7 Additive inverse
2 −8.3 + 4.4 + 9.2 + 3.7 Commutative property
3 −8.3 + (4.4 + 9.2 + 3.7) Associative property
4 −8.3 + 17.3 Simplify
5 9 Simplify
He did not make any errors.
Step 1: He wrote −4.4 incorrectly as + 4.4.
Step 2: He identified changing the order of the numbers as the commutative property, which is incorrect.
Step 3: He identified changing the grouping of the numbers as the associative property, which is incorrect.