Instructions
Hello, Super Mathematician! Let's explore a fun multiplication secret called the Commutative Property. This rule says you can swap the numbers in a multiplication problem, and the answer will stay the same! For example, 2 x 5 is the same as 5 x 2. Read each question carefully and do your best!
Section A: Multiple Choice
Circle the correct answer for each question.
- Which of these shows the same as 6 x 3?
a) 3 x 6 b) 6 + 3 c) 6 - 3
- If 5 x 9 = 45, what is 9 x 5?
a) 40 b) 45 c) 59
- The Commutative Property of Multiplication means you can ________ the numbers and get the same answer.
a) add b) subtract c) swap/flip
- You have 2 rows of 7 chairs. Which problem shows how many chairs you have?
a) 2 + 7 b) 2 x 7 c) 7 - 2
- Which problem does NOT equal 24?
a) 4 x 6 b) 8 x 3 c) 24 x 0
Section B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the number sentences below.
- 4 x 8 = 8 x ___
- 9 x 2 = ___ x 9
- If 10 x 3 = 30, then 3 x 10 = ___.
- 1 x 7 = 7 x ___.
- 5 x ___ = 6 x 5
- ___ x 3 = 3 x 9
- 7 x 4 = ___.
- So, 4 x 7 = ___.
- 5 x 8 = ___.
- So, 8 x 5 = ___.
Section C: True or False?
Read each statement and circle whether it is TRUE or FALSE.
- 3 x 10 is the same as 10 x 3. TRUE / FALSE
- The answer to 5 x 4 is bigger than the answer to 4 x 5. TRUE / FALSE
- 8 x 1 = 1 x 8. TRUE / FALSE
- 6 + 6 is the same as 6 x 2. TRUE / FALSE
- 7 x 0 = 7. TRUE / FALSE
Section D: Solve and Flip!
Solve the first problem. Then, use the Commutative Property to write the "flip" fact.
- 2 x 8 = _____
Flip fact: _____ x _____ = _____ - 5 x 7 = _____
Flip fact: _____ x _____ = _____ - 9 x 4 = _____
Flip fact: _____ x _____ = _____ - 6 x 3 = _____
Flip fact: _____ x _____ = _____ - 10 x 5 = _____
Flip fact: _____ x _____ = _____
Section E: Think About It!
Read the questions and write your answer on the line.
- Tim planted 3 rows of flowers with 6 flowers in each row. Jane planted 6 rows of flowers with 3 flowers in each row. Who planted more flowers? Explain how you know.
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- Is 5 x 0 the same as 0 x 5? What is the answer and why?
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- Ben knows that 4 x 8 = 32. He says he can use the "flip rule" to know what 8 x 4 is without calculating it again. Is he correct? Explain.
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- Think about a group of dots for 2 x 5. You would have 2 rows with 5 dots in each. Now think about a group for 5 x 2. You would have 5 rows with 2 dots in each. Is the total number of dots the same?
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- Create your own multiplication problem that shows the Commutative Property. Write both versions of the problem below.
Problem 1: ______________________
Problem 2: ______________________
Answer Key
Section A: Multiple Choice
- a) 3 x 6
- b) 45
- c) swap/flip
- b) 2 x 7
- c) 24 x 0 (The answer is 0)
Section B: Fill in the Blanks
- 4
- 2
- 30
- 1
- 6
- 9
- 28
- 28
- 40
- 40
Section C: True or False?
- TRUE
- FALSE (They are equal)
- TRUE
- TRUE
- FALSE (The answer is 0)
Section D: Solve and Flip!
- 2 x 8 = 16
Flip fact: 8 x 2 = 16 - 5 x 7 = 35
Flip fact: 7 x 5 = 35 - 9 x 4 = 36
Flip fact: 4 x 9 = 36 - 6 x 3 = 18
Flip fact: 3 x 6 = 18 - 10 x 5 = 50
Flip fact: 5 x 10 = 50
Section E: Think About It!
- They planted the same number of flowers. Because 3 x 6 is 18, and 6 x 3 is also 18.
- Yes, they are the same. The answer is 0 because any number multiplied by zero is zero.
- Yes, he is correct. The Commutative Property (flip rule) says that 4 x 8 and 8 x 4 have the same answer.
- Yes, the total number of dots is the same. Both problems equal 10.
- (Answers will vary). Example: Problem 1: 2 x 4 = 8, Problem 2: 4 x 2 = 8.