Charlie’s Big Decision

By: Ann Onymous

Charlie really likes his friends. He does

everything with them, like go to school,

play sports, and play video games.

Dan Charlie Ean

One day, while Charlie was reading with his friend Ean, he started thinking

about his brother’s birthday party that his mother was planning.

Hmm, I wonder…

Then it hit him! “If I associate with Ean first, then bring Dan to the party, Dan will get mad at me. But If I associate with Dan first, then bring Ean to the party, then Ean will get mad at me.” Charlie was really in a pickle.

(Ean + Charlie) + Dan = Bad News

Ean + (Charlie + Dan) = Bad News

Associative property of addition

Charlie needed to come up with a plan and fast! Charlie first asked his mother what to do about his big decision and she said, “Charlie, If Ean identifies himself as your true friend, then he will continue to call you his friend the same way he always has.”

Ean likes Charlie + Charlie’s good actions = Ean likes Charlie

Identity property of addition

Charlie thought and thought about what his mother said. He commuted the different scenarios in his head, but no matter which way he put it, he kept coming to the same conclusion…

Asking Ean first + Asking Dan second = Sad & Confused Charlie

Asking Dan first + Asking Ean second = Sad & Confused Charlie

Commutative property of addition

So Charlie told his aunt Kathy about his problem. “I don’t want my friends to be mad at me, but I don’t know who to ask to the party first”, Charlie exclaimed. Aunt Kathy responded, “Why can’t you distribute your invitation to them at the same time?” “That’s a wonderful idea!” said Charlie.Thanks aunt Kathy!”

Charlie + (Ean + Dan) = Happy Friends

Distributive property of addition

The next day, when Charlie was eating lunch with his friends, he distributed the party invitation to his friends while they were together. Ean said, “Thanks Charlie! Hey, why don’t go to the mall after school together to get your brother a very special present.” Charlie told his friends about his problem and they both said, “It doesn’t matter who gets an invitation first, as long as we all get to hang out together.”

“Let’s get your brother a present after school today!”

Charlie learned that whether he chooses to associate with one friend first or distribute them at the same time, he would still have two very special friends. All three friends came to the party and had a wonderful time!