Use properties to make equivalent expressions

4th Grade Math practice: Which expression is equivalent to 6 × 17: 6 × (10 + 7) or 6 + 10 + 7. Part of algebra connections (Algebra Connections).

~9 min

Properties can show that two expressions are equal even if they look different.

Changing Order

Group A
5
+
Group B
8
=
Total40
↕ swap order
Group B
8
+
Group A
5
=
Total40

The Commutative Property says that changing the order of numbers in a multiplication expression does not change the result. For example, 5 × 8 and 8 × 5 have the same value.

💡 Think of it as swapping places in a line; you are still the same number of people total.