The associative property of addition is centered on altering groups of three or more numbers to prove that no matter the arrangement, the sum is still the same. For example when adding 2 and 3 in a set of parentheses and adding 4 to that group, the sum is the same if adding 4 and 3 in the parentheses then adding 2.
(2 + 3) + 4 = (4 + 3) + 2
Commute is the keyword to take note of when studying the commutative property of addition. No matter the order of two or more addends in an equation, the sum is the same. For instance, when adding 5 and 1, the sum is equal to adding 1 plus 5.
5 + 1 = 1 + 5
The identity property of addition states that any number added to zero results in that same number. The identity of the number remains the same when adding zero, thus the name of the property. An example of the identity property is when finding the sum of 9 and 0, it equals 9.
9 + 0 = 9
Reinforce the concept of the associative, commutative and identity properties of addition by using math counters. Group the students into pairs or groups of three and give each group a handful of math counters, such as circular discs like Bingo chips, snap together cubes like Unifix cubes or even miniature marshmallows or raisins. Write an equation displaying each property and instruct the students to count out each addend in counters. They can then count the sum to ensure that the result is the same, no matter the order or grouping.