Multiplication Properties
Using properties of operations to teach multiplication is another one of the common core multiplication strategies for 3rd and 4th graders. What exactly are the properties of multiplication? Let’s go through them one by one.
Commutative property of multiplication teaches us that if you know what “5 x 7” is, then you don’t have to sweat it to try to remember “7 x 5”. It’s the same thing i.e. “5 x 7 = 7 x 5”.
Associative property of multiplication explains that numbers can be multiplied in any order. For example, if it’s “2 x 3 x 4”, you can either calculate “2 x 3” first and then multiply it by 4, or you can calculate “3 x 4” and then multiply it by 2. Therefore, “(2 x 3) x 4 = 2 x (3 x 4)
Distributive property of multiplication instructs us on how to break up a number and use our addition skills instead of our less prevalent multiplication skills. For example, if 9 x 9 sounds too difficult, it can be rewritten as “9 x (5 + 4)” and then be solved like this: “9 x (5 + 4) = (9 x 5) + (9 x 4)”
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