Associative Property

My Definition

Key Characteristics

The following are true of the Associative Property:

  • It applies to addition and multiplication.

  • The grouping of the addends does not change the sum.

  • The grouping of the factors does not change the product.

  • It cannot be used with subtraction or division.

Example

Addition : a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c
Multiplication : (a b) c = a (b c)

Click on the link below to see examples of the Associative Property.

Associative Property Card Sort Activity

Associative Property Card Sort Activity

Non-example

(14 + 7) + 3 = (7 + 14) + 3

(12 3) 2 = (3 12) 2

These are examples of the Commutative Property.

TEKS: 1(5)(G), 2(4)(B), 3(4)(A), 3(4)(G), 3(4)(K), 4(3)(E), 4(4)(B), 4(4)(D), 5(3)(E),
5(3)(H), 6(7)(D)