1. The problem asks to evaluate two expressions using the associative property of addition. 2. For part (a), we have $ (3 + 5) + 2 $. First, calculate inside the parentheses: $$ 3 + 5 = 8 $$ Then add 2: $$ 8 + 2 = 10 $$ 3. For part (b), we have $ 3 + (5 + 2) $. First, calculate inside the parentheses: $$ 5 + 2 = 7 $$ Then add 3: $$ 3 + 7 = 10 $$ 4. Both expressions simplify to 10, demonstrating the associative property of addition, which states that the grouping of numbers does not affect the sum. Final answers: (a) $10$ (b) $10$