explain how knowing 1+7 helps you find the sum for 7+1
They are exactly the same. When adding it doesn't matter what order the numbers are in.
Knowing 1+7 helps you find the sum of 7+1 because 1+7 and 7+1 is communitive property of addition. Also because 1+7 is the same answer as 7+1. Ex: 1+7=8 And 7+1=8its the same result.