Which property is illustrated by the equation a + b = b + a?

The equation ( a + b = b + a ) illustrates the Commutative Property of Addition. This property states that when you add two numbers, the order in which you add them does not change the sum. In other words, whether you add ( a ) to ( b ) or ( b ) to ( a ), the result is the same.

This property is fundamental in arithmetic and algebra, making it easier to rearrange expressions while solving equations. For example, if you have the numbers 2 and 3, applying the commutative property shows that ( 2 + 3 ) equals ( 3 + 2 ), both resulting in 5.

In contrast, the Associative Property involves grouping numbers, the Distributive Property combines addition and multiplication, and the Identity Property pertains to adding zero to any number, leaving the number unchanged. Understanding these properties helps in simplifying and manipulating expressions effectively in mathematics.