Actual math qustion

Question

Nancy and Juan simplify the expression 6x2x4.

Nancy says that its value is the same as 6x8. Juan says that its value is the same as 12x4.

Are Nancy and June both correct? Explain your answer.

 

Answer 1

6x2x4 can be written as (6x2)x4 or 6x(2x4)

this is called the associative property of multiplication which says that you can group the factors differently and the product will not change

(6x2)x4=12x4=48

6x(2x4)=6x8=48

Nancy and Juan are both correct.

By the way, you can also write 6x2x4 as 2x6x4=2x(6x4)=2x24=48.

Writing 6x2 as 2x6 is called the commutative property of multiplication which says the order in which you multiply the factors does not change the product.

Answer 2

This is the effect of the associative property, which I explained and demonstrated in your last question. You can take a look at it to see that they are both correct.