Which property states that a + b = b + a?

The correct statement is based on the commutative property. This property indicates that the order in which two numbers are added does not affect their sum. Therefore, when you add two numbers, such as 'a' and 'b', it holds true that 'a + b' is equivalent to 'b + a'. This property is fundamental in arithmetic and helps simplify expressions and calculations without changing the outcome.

The associative property, on the other hand, pertains to how numbers are grouped in addition or multiplication. It states that (a + b) + c equals a + (b + c). The distributive property involves both addition and multiplication, illustrating how a number can be distributed across terms inside parentheses, such as a(b + c) = ab + ac. The identity property relates to adding zero to a number or multiplying by one, which does not change the value of the original number. Understanding these distinctions highlights why the commutative property is the accurate identification for the equation presented.