You're working on the
Associative Property of Multiplication, which says:
> When multiplying three or more numbers, the way you group them (i.e., which two you multiply first) does
not change the product.
In other words:
(a × b) × c = a × (b × c)
Let’s solve each problem step by step.
---
🔹 Problem 1:
5 × 2 × 4
We’re given:
> 5 × 2 × 4 =
10 ×
4 =
40
*(This groups 5 and 2 first: (5×2)=10, then 10×4=40)*
Now we need to fill:
> 5 × 2 × 4 =
5 × [ ___ ] = [ ___ ]
Here, we want to group
2 × 4 first.
- 2 × 4 =
8
- Then 5 × 8 =
40
✔ So:
> 5 × 2 × 4 =
5 ×
8 =
40
---
🔹 Problem 2:
5 × 2 × 4
Given:
> 5 × 2 × 4 =
10 ×
4 =
40
*(Again, (5×2)=10, then 10×4=40)*
Now:
> 5 × 2 × 4 =
20 × [ ___ ] = [ ___ ]
Wait — where did 20 come from? Let’s think.
If we group
5 × 4 first:
5 × 4 =
20
Then 20 × 2 =
40
✔ So:
> 5 × 2 × 4 =
20 ×
2 =
40
*(Note: The order doesn’t matter — 20 × 2 is same as 2 × 20. This shows commutative property too, but associative is about grouping.)*
---
🔹 Problem 3:
2 × 5 × 6
Given:
> 2 × 5 × 6 =
2 ×
30 =
60
*(Groups 5 × 6 = 30, then 2 × 30 = 60)*
Now fill:
> 2 × 5 × 6 =
5 × [ ___ ] = [ ___ ]
Group
2 × 6 first:
2 × 6 =
12
Then 5 × 12 =
60
✔ So:
> 2 × 5 × 6 =
5 ×
12 =
60
Next:
> 2 × 5 × 6 =
6 × [ ___ ] = [ ___ ]
Group
2 × 5 first:
2 × 5 =
10
Then 6 × 10 =
60
✔ So:
> 2 × 5 × 6 =
6 ×
10 =
60
---
##
✔ Final Answers:
1.
> 5 × 2 × 4 = 5 ×
8 =
40
2.
> 5 × 2 × 4 = 20 ×
2 =
40
3.
> 2 × 5 × 6 = 5 ×
12 =
60
> 2 × 5 × 6 = 6 ×
10 =
60
---
## 💡 Key Takeaway:
No matter how you group the numbers when multiplying, the answer stays the same — that’s the
Associative Property! You can choose the easiest pair to multiply first to simplify your work.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of associative property of multiplication worksheet.
