Mathematics
Grade 6
15 min
Multiply three or more numbers
Multiply three or more numbers
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Apply the associative property of multiplication to group numbers efficiently.
Apply the commutative property of multiplication to reorder numbers for easier calculation.
Accurately multiply three or more single-digit numbers.
Multiply three or more multi-digit numbers using various strategies.
Solve real-world problems involving the multiplication of three or more numbers.
Estimate products of three or more numbers to check for reasonableness.
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In this lesson, you'll learn how to multiply three or more numbers together. This skill is super useful for solving bigger problems and understanding how numbers work in groups,...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
FactorA number that is multiplied by another number to get a product.In $2 imes 3 imes 4$, the numbers 2, 3, and 4 are all factors.
ProductThe result obtained when two or more numbers are multiplied together.In $2 imes 3 imes 4 = 24$, the number 24 is the product.
Associative Property of MultiplicationThis property states that when multiplying three or more numbers, the way the factors are grouped does not change the product.$(2 imes 3) imes 4 = 2 imes (3 imes 4)$
Commutative Property of MultiplicationThis property states that the order in which you multiply numbers does not change the product. You can rearrange the factors.$2 imes 3 imes 4 = 4 imes 2 imes 3$
Mental MathPerforming calculations in your head without using a calculator or writing down steps....
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Core Formulas
Associative Property of Multiplication
$(a \times b) \times c = a \times (b \times c)$
When multiplying three or more numbers, you can group them in any way you like using parentheses, and the product will remain the same. This helps simplify calculations by allowing you to multiply easier pairs first.
Commutative Property of Multiplication
$a \times b = b \times a$
The order in which you multiply two numbers does not change the product. This property can be extended to three or more numbers, allowing you to rearrange factors for easier multiplication (e.g., to create multiples of 10 or 100).
Multiplication by Zero Property
$a \times 0 = 0$
If any of the numbers you are multiplying is zero, the entire product will always be zero, no matter what the other factors are....
5 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Using the digits 4, 5, and 6 exactly once to form three single-digit factors, what is the largest possible product you can make?
A.15
B.120
C.240
D.150
Challenging
A farmer plants 15 rows of corn in a field that is 100 meters long. Each row has 20 corn stalks. He also plants 8 rows of beans. How many corn stalks did the farmer plant in total?
A.3000
B.3008
C.43
D.3120
Challenging
When calculating 4 × 48 × 25, which property is MOST helpful for simplifying the calculation for mental math?
A.The Zero Property, because the answer might be zero.
B.The Associative Property, because grouping (4 × 48) is easiest.
C.The Commutative Property, because it allows you to reorder the numbers to 4 × 25 × 48.
D.The Distributive Property, because you can break 48 into 40 + 8.
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