PROPERTIES OF MULTIPLICATION

for Primary Mathematics

By: Teacher Virgie

    Studying the properties of multiplication is important because it helps us understand how multiplication works and how we can use it to solve problems more efficiently. There are several properties of multiplication, including the commutative, associative, and distributive properties.

1. The commutative property tells us that the order of the factors doesn't affect the product. 

For example, 3 x 2 is the same as 2 x 3. 

This property is useful because it allows us to rearrange the factors in a multiplication problem without changing the answer.

2. The associative property tells us that the grouping of the factors doesn't affect the product. 

For example, (5 x 2) x 3 is the same as 5 x (2 x 3). 

This property is useful because it allows us to group the factors in a way that makes the problem easier to solve.

3. The distributive property tells us that we can break up a multiplication problem into smaller parts and then add the products together. 

For example, 2 x (3 + 4) is the same as (2 x 3) + (2 x 4). 

This property is useful because it allows us to simplify complex multiplication problems.

4. The zero property tells us any number multiply by zero is always zero.

For example, 15 x 0 is equal to 0 or

0 x 15 = 0

5. The identity property of multiplication tells us that any number multiply by 1, the answer is always the number itself.

For examples:

20 x 1 = 20

100 x 1 = 100

2255 x 1 = 2255

By understanding the properties of multiplication, you can become more efficient problem solvers and better understand the relationships between numbers.

Let's practice!

Name the multiplication property that is shown by each equation. You may write commutative, associative, distributive, zero or identity.

1.) 0 x 12 = 0    ______________

2.) 1 x 76 = 76 ______________

3.) 5 x (6 + 4) = (5 x 6) + (5 x 4) ______________

4.) 6 x 8 = 8 x 6 ______________

5.) 11 x (10 x 9) = (11 x 10) x 9 ______________

Answer:

1. zero 2. identity 3. distributive 4. commutative 5. associative

By understanding the properties of multiplication, you can become more efficient problem solvers and better understand the relationships between numbers.

How about this? What is the missing number that will make an equation true?

15 x (8 + 1) = (15 x _____) + (15 x 1)

Comment the answer below!!!