Question

how are the commutative property of addition and the commutative property of multiplication alike?

Answer 1

Both condone the swapping of terms being operated on through multiplication or addition. For example: 

4 * 6 = 24 OR 6 * 4 = 24

7+3 = 10 OR 3 + 7 = 10

Commutative comes from the same root wrd as commute, so just think of it meaning "to move around".