Properties of Multiplication — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
In Grade 3, 4 times 5 equals 4 times 4 by the commutative property.
Corrected: In Grade 3, 4 times 5 equals 5 times 4 by the commutative property.
The commutative property swaps the order of the two factors, keeping the same product in Grade 3.
2. Fix the sentence:
A Grade 3 student says 6 x 3 and 3 x 6 give different products.
Corrected: A Grade 3 student says 6 x 3 and 3 x 6 give the same product.
Both 6 x 3 and 3 x 6 equal 18, which shows the commutative property for Grade 3 learners.
3. Fix the sentence:
The Grade 3 rule says 7 x 2 is greater than 2 x 7 because 7 is bigger.
Corrected: The Grade 3 rule says 7 x 2 is equal to 2 x 7 because order does not matter.
Both 7 x 2 and 2 x 7 equal 14, confirming commutativity for Grade 3 multiplication.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. In Grade 3, the commutative property shows that 3 x 8 equals 8 x 3.
Grade 3 commutative property means 3 x 8 = 8 x 3, both equal 24.
2. A Grade 3 array with 5 rows of 4 has the same total as 4 rows of 5.
5 x 4 = 4 x 5 = 20, showing the commutative property in Grade 3 arrays.
3. Grade 3 students know 9 x 2 = 18, so 2 x 9 also equals 18.
By the commutative property, 2 x 9 has the same product 18 as 9 x 2.
4. In Grade 3, 6 x 7 = 7 x 6 by the commutative property.
6 x 7 = 7 x 6 = 42, a clear Grade 3 example of commutativity.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. In Grade 3, 4 x 9 and 9 x 4 have the same product because of the commutative property.
True False
Both equal 36, which matches the Grade 3 commutative property.
2. In Grade 3, the commutative property works only when one of the factors is 1.
True False
Grade 3 commutative property applies to all factor pairs, not just those with 1.
3. A Grade 3 student can use 5 x 3 to find 3 x 5 because both equal 15.
True False
The commutative property lets Grade 3 learners reuse facts like 5 x 3 = 3 x 5 = 15.