Associative Property

Associative Property
The associative property states that the grouping of numbers in addition or multiplication does not change the result.

The following figures give the Associative Property of Addition and Multiplication. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.

 

Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following worksheets:
Printable & Online Numbers Worksheets
Printable & Online Algebra Worksheets

1. Associative Property of Addition
   Definition: When adding three or more numbers, changing the grouping of the addends does not change their sum.
   Rule: For any three numbers a, b and c
   (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

2. Associative Property of Multiplication
   Definition: When multiplying three or more numbers, changing the grouping of the factors does not change their product.
   Rule: For any three numbers a, b and c
   (a × b) × c = a × (b × c)

The Associative Property does not work for subtraction and division.

Videos

Learn the associative property of addition, which states that (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

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Learn the associative property of multiplication, which states that (a x b) x c = a x (b x c)
This tutorial shows how one can use the associative property of multiplication to solve longer multiplication sentences.

Associative Law of Multiplication

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Associative property for multiplication

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