The problem is that I sometimes get confused and the answer is wrong

Its okay just keep trying and you'll get it done in under 30 seconds. =D

What's the main difference between the words communitive and associative? Aren't both meaning "order doesn't matter"?

The commutative property tells you that you can change the order of the numbers when adding or when multiplying. It basically let's you move the numbers. 2 + 3 + 5 = 5 + 3 + 2 = 2 + 5 + 3, etc. The associative property lets us change the grouping, or move grouping symbols (parentheses). It does not move / change the order of the numbers. (2 + 3) + 5 = 2 + (3 + 5). When you combine the 2 properties, they give us a lot of flexibility to add numbers or to multiply numbers.

Main content

Arithmetic (all content)

Course: Arithmetic (all content) > Unit 3

Lesson 3: Properties of multiplication

Associative property of multiplication review

Google Classroom

Review the basics of the associative property of multiplication, and try some practice problems.

What is the associative property?

The associative property is a math rule that says that the way in which factors are grouped in a multiplication problem does not change the product.

Example:

5 \times 4 \times 2

Let's start by grouping the

5

and the

4

together. We can evaluate the expression step by step.

(5 \times 4) \times 2

= 20 \times 2

= 40

Now let's group the

4

and the

2

together.

5 \times (4 \times 2)

= 5 \times 8

= 40

Regrouping does not change the answer!

Want to learn more about the associative property? Check out this video.

Want to know why the associative property is helpful? Check out this article.

Practice

Problem 1

Which expressions are equivalent to $(9 \times 2) \times 5$ ‍ ?

Want to try more problems like this? Check out this exercise.

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Mahmoud Sayed
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Mahmoud Sayed's post “The problem is that I som...”
The problem is that I sometimes get confused and the answer is wrong
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(14 votes)
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- Vi.png
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Vi.png's post “Its okay just keep trying...”
  Its okay just keep trying and you'll get it done in under 30 seconds. =D
  Comment on Vi.png's post “Its okay just keep trying...”
  (14 votes)
AlyMli
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to AlyMli's post “why did it put the answer...”
why did it put the answer for the wrong equation if he made the mistake in step 2 the answer should of been 80, 80 was the correct answer
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(3 votes)
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niurvarg4478
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to niurvarg4478's post “y=-3 0(-3)+(-7) 8,345.271”
y=-3 0(-3)+(-7) 8,345.271
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(3 votes)
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Karina Dykes
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Karina Dykes's post “why was it so easy love i...”
why was it so easy love it
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Karina Dykes
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Karina Dykes's post “why did it push me back w...”
why did it push me back when I went to another Question It is very hard why
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ashleywilliams1
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to ashleywilliams1's post “how do u find the answer”
how do u find the answer
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bsistudent10
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to bsistudent10's post “i am not getting this a l...”
i am not getting this a little bit
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Jackie
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Jackie's post “The questions are easy if...”
The questions are easy if you do them more and more.
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aututayl.6135
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to aututayl.6135's post “I don't understand the di...”
I don't understand the difference from Commutative and Associative because both deal with you moving the numbers in the problem and the equation still has the same answer, I was just wondering.
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(3 votes)
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cellytwila
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to cellytwila's post “What's the main differenc...”
What's the main difference between the words communitive and associative? Aren't both meaning "order doesn't matter"?
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(2 votes)
Answer
- Kim Seidel
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Kim Seidel's post “The commutative property ...”
  The commutative property tells you that you can change the order of the numbers when adding or when multiplying. It basically let's you move the numbers.
  2 + 3 + 5 = 5 + 3 + 2 = 2 + 5 + 3, etc.
  
  The associative property lets us change the grouping, or move grouping symbols (parentheses). It does not move / change the order of the numbers.
  (2 + 3) + 5 = 2 + (3 + 5).
  
  When you combine the 2 properties, they give us a lot of flexibility to add numbers or to multiply numbers.
  Comment on Kim Seidel's post “The commutative property ...”
  (2 votes)