Let’s examine the properties of multiplication. As I teach each of the 5 properties. I introduce them using a power point presentation. We practice together either in the power point or with an activity worksheet. Then I have kids continue practice using a boom card deck. If you aren’t familiar with boom cards, learn about them HERE!
The Commutative property of Multiplication
It is the simplest of multiplication properties. It has an easily understandable application: it reduces the number of basic multiplication facts to be memorized. For example, due to the property, students will understand that 2× 5 equals 10 to also know the product 5 × 2. I teach the X2 and the X5 facts before I introduce this property.
It is also important to familiarize students with arrays so they can see the picture of both equations.
The Identity Property of Multiplication
I introduce this property along with the zero property of multiplication in the same lesson. It is easy for students to get these two mixed up so I find it works better to distinguish them right from the start in the same lesson.
The Zero Property of Multiplication
I tell students that this property means If 0 is multiplied by a number the product is ALWAYS zero. Then I draw out or show pictures (using my power point presentation) what this really means conceptually.
The Associative property of Multiplication
It can be interpreted similarly to the commutative property by calculating the number of objects in an original and rotated array. I teach the X2, X5, X10, and X9 before introducing this property. That way I have some numbers to work with before we dig in.
It is a group of 3 numbers that can be grouped in two different ways and have the same product. In order to understand how this works, students must understand parentheses and their function first. I often teach that skill before showing students what the associative property is.
Finally, we talk bout a two-sided equation with an equal sign in the middle. Then we apply the whole property together over and over until I feel they are catching onto the patterns.
All this is described well in a video HERE
The Distributive Property of Multiplication
It is the hardest of the 5 properties of Multiplication. Before introducing the distributive property of multiplication, I make sure students are familiar with array illustrations! I usually show a fact we haven’t learned yet, such as 5 X 4. ( I do this using a power point presentation) I will draw out the array for this. Then, we break it apart by showing the arrays 5 X 4 and 1 X 4 within the 6 X 4 array.
After that, Students work on worksheets to do this in partners or through guided practice as well.
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