--- title: "Commutative Multiplication" description: "Understand and apply the commutative property of multiplication and recognise that division is not commutative" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/commutative-multiplication-mt_C9ZfT-4cgn source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/commutative-multiplication-mt_C9ZfT-4cgn.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Commutative Multiplication Understand and apply the commutative property of multiplication and recognise that division is not commutative Subject: Mathematics · Area: Multiplication & Division · Ages 6 to 7 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/commutative-multiplication-mt_C9ZfT-4cgn ## Ready when they can - Explain that 3 × 5 = 5 × 3 and show this with an array rotated - Use commutativity to choose the easier calculation - Demonstrate that 12 ÷ 3 ≠ 3 ÷ 12 ## Lesson: Same Answer, Switched Around When you multiply two numbers, you can switch the order and the answer stays the same. 3 × 5 and 5 × 3 both equal 15. *(drawing: This array shows 3 rows of 5. Turn it on its side and it becomes 5 rows of 3, but the total is still 15.)* **Example.** Mia has 4 bags with 7 stickers in each bag. That is 4 × 7 = 28 stickers. If she had 7 bags with 4 stickers each instead, that is 7 × 4 = 28 too. Same total, just arranged differently. **Tip.** If one order is easier to picture, use that one. 2 × 9 and 9 × 2 both equal 18, so pick whichever is simpler for you. Division does not work this way. 12 ÷ 3 = 4, but 3 ÷ 12 is not 4. Switching a division around gives a different answer. **Recap.** Multiplication gives the same answer both ways around, but division does not. ## Practice 14 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Arrays for multiplication](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/arrays-for-multiplication-mt_GRWwTDZ3wD) - [Division as equal sharing](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/division-as-equal-sharing-mt_LpSuPgL31x) - [Multiplication as repeated addition](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/multiplication-as-repeated-addition-mt_PZ909yPrEC) ## Opens up - [Properties of Operations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/properties-of-operations-mt_Lb2ZnMdkYR)