Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify volume calculations
I can apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify volume calculations.
Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify volume calculations
I can apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify volume calculations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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
Represent - To represent something is to show it in a different way.
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 understand that a 3 factor calculation problem with two unknown factors can be represented as a 2 factor calculation with one unknown factor.
Spend time manipulating 2 factor calculations into 3 factors and vice versa. Once pupils are confident with this, apply this to a context where the numbers are kept simple to support pupils to see the structure of the problems.
To help you plan your year 5 maths lesson on: Apply the commutative and associative laws to simplify volume calculations, 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 volume calculations, 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 secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

Exit quiz
6 Questions




