C Curriculum Explorer
Mathematics·Multiplication & Division·conceptual

Properties of Operations

Apply properties of operations (commutative, associative, distributive) as strategies to multiply and divide

Suggested ages 8–9

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Learning journey

Your child is building fluency with multiplication and division — memorizing times tables up to 12×12, understanding the relationship between multiplication and division, and solving word problems involving equal groups and arrays.

Evidence of understanding

  • Use commutativity: if 6 × 4 = 24 then 4 × 6 = 24
  • Use the distributive property: 8 × 7 = 8 × 5 + 8 × 2 = 40 + 16 = 56
  • Use associativity to multiply three numbers: 2 × 3 × 5 = 6 × 5 = 30

Assessment prompt

Can Properties of Operations use tricks like breaking up a number — working out '6 × 14' as '6 × 10 + 6 × 4 = 60 + 24 = 84' — to make multiplication easier?

Standards alignment

3.OA.5US · ccss-math

Apply properties of operations as strategies to multiply and divide

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · 3