Which property allows changing the order of factors in multiplication without changing the product?

Which property allows changing the order of factors in multiplication without changing the product?

• A. Commutative Property of Multiplication
• B. Associative Property of Multiplication
• C. Distributive Property
• D. Identity Property

Answer: (A)

The ability to change the order of factors in multiplication without changing the product comes from the commutative property of multiplication. This means you can swap the numbers you’re multiplying and still get the same result. For example, 8 × 5 equals 40, and 5 × 8 also equals 40. This works for any pair of numbers and is handy for simplifying mental math or rearranging factors to make multiplication easier. The associative property is about regrouping: (a × b) × c = a × (b × c). The distributive property links multiplication with addition: a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c. The identity property says multiplying by 1 leaves a number unchanged: a × 1 = a.

The ability to change the order of factors in multiplication without changing the product comes from the commutative property of multiplication. This means you can swap the numbers you’re multiplying and still get the same result. For example, 8 × 5 equals 40, and 5 × 8 also equals 40. This works for any pair of numbers and is handy for simplifying mental math or rearranging factors to make multiplication easier.

The associative property is about regrouping: (a × b) × c = a × (b × c). The distributive property links multiplication with addition: a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c. The identity property says multiplying by 1 leaves a number unchanged: a × 1 = a.