Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 5
Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify problems in a range of contexts
I can apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify problems in a range of contexts.
- Year 5
Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify problems in a range of contexts
I can apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify problems in a range of contexts.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- To simplify a multiplication calculation, you can change the order of the factors.
- To simplify a multiplication calculation you can group the factors in different ways.
Keywords
Associative - The associative law states that it doesn't matter how you group or pair values (i.e. which we calculate first), the result is still the same. It applies for addition and multiplication.
Commutative - The commutative law states that you can write the values of a calculation in a different order without changing the calculation; the result is the same. It applies for addition and multiplication.
Common misconception
Pupils struggle to solve unknown factor calculations where the volume is known.
Ensure pupils record missing factor problems as a multiplication equation. You may choose to build up the number of missing factors from one to two. You may also choose to build up from a missing factor in a 2 factor equation to a 3 factor equation.
To help you plan your year 5 maths lesson on: Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify problems in a range of contexts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 maths lesson on: Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify problems in a range of contexts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Multiply 3 or more numbers (commutative and associative laws) unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Tick the factors of 84.
Q2.How many factors does the number 14 have?
Q3.Complete the sentence. If a box is 36 cm long, 4 cm wide and 3 cm deep then it has a volume of m$$^3$$.
Q4.Which box has the greatest volume?



Q5.A box of rice has a length of 10 cm. The volume of the pack is 720 cm$$^3$$. What could the width and height of the box be?
Q6.The volume of a drawer is 240 cm$$^3$$. The height is 6 cm. What could the length and width be?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which image matches this expression? 2 × (3 × 4)

Q2.A gardener is planting seeds to grow some leeks. She uses 5 of the pictured trays to plant the seeds. In each tray cell, she plants 4 seeds. How many leeks could she grow altogether?

Q3.Jacob spends 25 minutes a day reading. He does this for all 30 days in April. How many minutes did Jacob read for in April? Which calculation gives the correct answer?
Q4.Cupcakes are baked on 6 of these trays. Each cupcake is sold for £3.00 If all the cupcakes sell. How much money will be made? £
