Math Intervention 3–5 Grade

198 Multifaceted Number Concepts

Rigorous Problem Solving with the Concept of

Commutative and Associative Properties 2

David left shiny dimes for his family. He left 4 dimes each

day for 2 weeks.

Part A

Which equation uses the commutative property to represent

the number of dimes David left?

o 4 x 2 = 2 x 4

o 4 x 2 x 2 = 2 x 4 x 2

o 4 x 14 = 14 x 4

o 4 x 7 = 7 x 4

Part B

Grandpaw found 12 dimes. Don found 14 dimes. Sam and

James each found 15 dimes. Does the commutative property

represent how many dimes were found?

12 + 14 + (15 x 2) = (2 x 15) + 14 + 12

Yes or no?

Explain your answer.

© 2016, Math Intervention: Grades 3–5, Jennifer Taylor-Cox, Routledge