Multiplication Magic: Order Doesn't Matter!

Mathematics Grades 4th Grade 5:34 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how the order of numbers doesn't change the answer when you're only multiplying! Discover the commutative and associative properties with fun examples.

Video Resource

Order doesn't matter when purely multiplying | 3rd grade | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 5:34
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Commutative Property of Multiplication
  • Associative Property of Multiplication
  • Factors and Products

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and apply the commutative property of multiplication.
  • Students will be able to identify and apply the associative property of multiplication.
  • Students will be able to solve multiplication problems with multiple factors regardless of the order of operations.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they think the order of numbers matters when multiplying. Show a simple example like 2 x 3 and 3 x 2. Explain that today's lesson will explore this idea further using a video from Khan Academy.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video: 'Order doesn't matter when purely multiplying'. Encourage students to pay attention to the examples and explanations of the commutative and associative properties.
  • Guided Practice (15 mins)
    After watching the video, work through a few examples on the board. Start with simple multiplication problems with three factors (e.g., 2 x 3 x 4). Show how changing the order or grouping doesn't change the final product. Emphasize the terms 'commutative property' (order) and 'associative property' (grouping).
  • Independent Practice (15 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets containing multiplication problems with multiple factors. Encourage them to experiment with different orders and groupings to see that the product remains the same. Include problems with visual aids (like the grids in the video) to support understanding.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the commutative and associative properties. Ask students to share their observations and explain how these properties can help them solve multiplication problems more efficiently.

Interactive Exercises

  • Multiplication Scramble
    Write a multiplication problem with three factors on the board (e.g., 3 x 5 x 2). Have students work in pairs to rearrange the factors in different orders and calculate the product. Discuss their findings as a class.
  • Property Sort
    Create cards with examples of the commutative and associative properties. Have students sort the cards into the correct categories.

Discussion Questions

  • Can you think of a real-life situation where the order of multiplying things doesn't matter?
  • How does knowing the commutative and associative properties make multiplication easier?
  • Can you give an example of the commutative property using numbers other than the ones in the video?
  • Can you give an example of the associative property using numbers other than the ones in the video?

Skills Developed

  • Multiplication Fluency
  • Problem-Solving
  • Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does the commutative property tell us about multiplication?

Correct Answer: The order of the numbers doesn't matter.

Question 2:

Which of these shows the commutative property of multiplication?

Correct Answer: 6 x 7 = 7 x 6

Question 3:

What does the associative property tell us about multiplication?

Correct Answer: How we group the numbers doesn't matter.

Question 4:

Which of these shows the associative property of multiplication?

Correct Answer: 3 x (2 x 1) = (3 x 2) x 1

Question 5:

What is 2 x 3 x 4?

Correct Answer: 24

Question 6:

Which of these is the same as 5 x 2 x 3?

Correct Answer: 2 x 3 x 5

Question 7:

If 4 x 6 = 24, what is 6 x 4?

Correct Answer: 24

Question 8:

Which property says that (2 x 3) x 5 = 2 x (3 x 5)?

Correct Answer: Associative

Question 9:

Which expression is equal to 7 x 2 x 1?

Correct Answer: 1 x 7 x 2

Question 10:

You are multiplying 3 x 4 x 2. Which part can you do first according to the associative property?

Correct Answer: You can multiply either 3 x 4 or 4 x 2 first.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The ________ property says the order of the numbers you multiply doesn't matter.

Correct Answer: commutative

Question 2:

The ________ property says that how we group numbers when we multiply doesn't change the answer.

Correct Answer: associative

Question 3:

In the problem 2 x 4 x 5, the numbers 2, 4, and 5 are called ________.

Correct Answer: factors

Question 4:

The answer to a multiplication problem is called the ________.

Correct Answer: product

Question 5:

3 x (4 x 2) = (3 x 4) x 2 is an example of the ________ property.

Correct Answer: associative

Question 6:

5 x 7 = 7 x 5 is an example of the ________ property.

Correct Answer: commutative

Question 7:

When using the associative property, we change the ________ of the numbers.

Correct Answer: grouping

Question 8:

When using the commutative property, we change the ________ of the numbers.

Correct Answer: order

Question 9:

Knowing the commutative and associative properties can make multiplying easier and ________.

Correct Answer: faster

Question 10:

No matter how you group or order the factors, the ________ will stay the same.

Correct Answer: product

Educational Standards

4.N.2.2:Multiply 3-digit by 1-digit and 2-digit by 2-digit whole numbers, using various strategies, including but not limited to standard algorithms. 4.A.2.1:Use the relationships between multiplication and division with the properties of multiplication to solve problems and find values for variables that make number sentences true.

Teaching Materials

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