b. \( b+(c+a)=(b+c)+a \)

Did you know that this equation represents the associative property of addition in mathematics? It tells us that no matter how we group the numbers when adding, the result stays the same! For example, whether we compute (2 + 3) + 4 or 2 + (3 + 4), we end up with 9 either way. This property is fundamental in arithmetic and lays the groundwork for operations in algebra. When solving problems involving groups of numbers, remember to keep this property in mind. A common mistake is to forget that you can rearrange the parentheses without changing the outcome. So, if you’re adding several numbers, feel free to regroup them in whatever way makes your calculation easier—it's perfectly fine! For instance, if you’re adding 5 + 3 + 2, you can either see it as (5 + 3) + 2 or 5 + (3 + 2). Either way, the answer remains the same!