Which property can be expressed as 1•2 = 2•1?

The property expressed as 1•2 = 2•1 illustrates the commutative property of multiplication. This property states that the order in which two numbers are multiplied does not affect the product. In this case, whether you multiply 1 by 2 or 2 by 1, the result is always 2.

This characteristic is fundamental in mathematics, as it allows for flexibility in how we approach multiplication problems. For example, in algebra, being able to rearrange factors without changing the outcome is particularly useful in simplifying expressions or solving equations.

In contrast, commutative addition deals with addition and allows for number rearrangement in that context, while the associative property relates to grouping numbers in either addition or multiplication without changing the result. The zero property, on the other hand, refers to the fact that any number multiplied by zero equals zero, which is not applicable here. Thus, the correct identification of the property illustrated by the equation is indeed the commutative property of multiplication.