Associative Property

The associative property states that the way in which numbers are grouped in an addition or multiplication problem does not affect the sum or product.

Addition:

For any three numbers a, b, and c, the associative property of addition can be written as: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).

This means that when adding three or more numbers, the grouping of the numbers does not change the sum.

Multiplication:

For any three numbers a, b, and c, the associative property of multiplication can be written as: (a * b) * c = a * (b * c).

This means that when multiplying three or more numbers, the grouping of the numbers does not change the product.

Example:

Let's consider the following example for addition:

(2 + 3) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4)

Here, according to the associative property of addition, both sides of the equation will have the same result.

Study Guide:

• Remember that the associative property is only applicable to addition and multiplication.
• When working with addition, you can change the grouping of the numbers without changing the sum.
• When working with multiplication, you can change the grouping of the numbers without changing the product.
• Practice various problems involving addition and multiplication to understand and apply the associative property.

[Associative Property] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Polynomials and ExponentsMathematics • Eighth Grade
• Real numbersMathematics • Eighth Grade
• More MultiplicationMathematics • Fourth Grade