A factor is a positive integer that divides evenly into a given number. For example, the factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4, and 8.

The factors of a number are all positive integers that divide evenly into the number. The factors of 40 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40.

The absolute value is the positive magnitude of a particular number or variable and is indicated by two vertical lines: \(\left|-5\right| = 5\). In the case of a variable absolute value (\(\left|a\right| = 5\)) the value of a can be either positive or negative (a = -5 or a = 5).

To add these fractions, first find the lowest common multiple of their denominators. The first few multiples of 2 are [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20] and the first few multiples of 4 are [4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40]. The first few multiples they share are [4, 8, 12, 16, 20] making 4 the smallest multiple 2 and 4 share.

Next, convert the fractions so each denominator equals the lowest common multiple:

\( \frac{8 x 2}{2 x 2} \) + \( \frac{7 x 1}{4 x 1} \)

\( \frac{16}{4} \) + \( \frac{7}{4} \)

Now, because the fractions share a common denominator, you can add them:

\( \frac{16 + 7}{4} \) = \( \frac{23}{4} \) = 5\(\frac{3}{4}\)

The commutative property states that, when adding or multiplying numbers, the order in which they're added or multiplied does not matter. For example, 3 + 4 and 4 + 3 give the same result, as do 3 x 4 and 4 x 3.