Hello, friends! Today, we’re going to learn something super cool about math. It’s called the associative property of addition. This might sound like a big word, but don’t worry, it’s really simple and fun!
The associative property of addition tells us that when we add numbers together, it doesn’t matter which order we add them in. The total will always be the same! For example, if we have the numbers 5, 2, and 3, we can add them in any order we like. We could do 5 + 2 first, or 2 + 3 first, or even 5 + 3 first. No matter what, the answer will be the same!
Let’s look at the numbers 5 + 2 + 3. If we add 2 + 3 first, we get 5. Then, we add the other 5, and we get 10. See how easy that was? The associative property helps us add numbers in a way that makes it easier for us!
Imagine we have two trains with numbers on them. Our job is to see if the numbers on both trains add up to the same total.
In the first train, we have 4 + 6 + 1. On the second train, we have 1 + 4 + 6. Let’s check if these are equal. We can add 4 + 6 first to get 10, and then add 1 to get 11. If we do the same with the second train, we also get 11. Yay! These trains are equal!
Now, let’s look at another example. The first train has 7 + 2 + 3, and the second train has 3 + 2 + 2. When we add the numbers on the first train, we get 12. But on the second train, we only get 7. These trains are not equal because they have different numbers.
Let’s try one more. The first train has 5 + 4 + 8, and the second train has 4 + 9 + 5. When we add the numbers on the first train, we get 17. On the second train, we get 18. These trains are not equal either because the numbers are different.
For our last example, the first train has 1 + 7 + 3, and the second train has 3 + 7 + 1. Both trains have the same numbers, just in a different order. When we add them up, both trains give us 11. Hooray! These trains are equal!
The associative property is like a magic rule that lets us add numbers in any order we want. Just remember to pick the order that makes adding easiest for you. Thanks for joining our math adventure, and see you next time!
Number Train Game: Create your own number trains using toy blocks or paper cutouts. Write different numbers on each block or cutout. Try rearranging the blocks to see if the total stays the same. For example, use numbers like 2, 4, and 6. Add them in different orders and check if you always get the same total. Share your findings with a friend or family member!
Associative Property Hunt: Go on a hunt around your house or classroom to find groups of objects you can count, like books, toys, or fruits. Group them in different ways and add them up. Does the total stay the same no matter how you group them? Write down your results and draw a picture of your favorite group.
Story Time with Numbers: Create a short story using characters that represent numbers. For example, “Once upon a time, there were three friends: 3, 5, and 7. They loved playing together and found out that no matter how they played, their fun was always the same!” Illustrate your story with drawings and share it with your class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Welcome to Kids Academy! Hello everyone! Let’s open the worksheet. Don’t forget to like this video and subscribe to our channel. You can find the link to this app in the comments below.
Today, we’re going to be learning about the associative property of addition. The associative property says that if we have a group of numbers that we want to add together, like 5 + 2 + 3, we can add them in any order that we want. If we wanted to add 5 + 2 first, we can. If we wanted to add 2 + 3 first, we can. Even if we wanted to add 5 + 3 first, that would be okay too! I suggest adding the numbers together that make your life the easiest. So if you know a combination of numbers that, when you add together, you know the sum, that’s what you should do first.
For this example, 5 + 2 + 3: I know that 2 + 3 equals 5, and then I’m just going to add 5 + 5, and I know that 5 + 5 equals 10. So the associative property of addition is kind of your friend; it makes adding numbers easier.
Let’s take a look at the worksheet on the associative property. Read the directions and the information at the top and get started right away. When we add three numbers, we can add them in any order we want, and the total will still be the same. For example, if 1 + 2 + 3 equals 6, then 3 + 1 + 2 also equals 6.
Now, let’s read the directions. Are the equations on the two trains equal or not? Check the correct answers.
Let’s take a look at our first example. On our first train, we have 4 + 6 + 1, and on our other train, we have 1 + 4 + 6. If the associative property states that it doesn’t matter what order we add the numbers in, then if all the numbers are the same, we know the sum is going to be equal.
Let’s first make sure that all the numbers in both equations are the same. I have a 4 on this train and a 4 on this train. I have a 6 on this train and a 6 on this train. I have a 1 on this train and a 1 on this train. So I’m beginning to think that these sums are going to be equal.
But just to be sure, let’s add up our numbers to make sure that the sums are equal to each other. Remember, we can add in any order that we want, so let’s add the numbers together that are easiest for us. I know that 4 + 6 makes 10. Then I can just add 10 + 1, and I know that 10 + 1 equals 11.
Now let’s check the second train. Again, I’m going to add 4 + 6 together first. 4 + 6 equals 10, and again I can just add 1 + 10, and I know that 1 + 10 equals 11. These two trains are equal.
Let’s check out the next example. In our first train, we have 7 + 2 + 3. In the second train, we have 3 + 2 + 2. Remember, the associative property says that if the numbers are the same, you can add in any order that you want.
In the first train, we have 7, and already I see that there’s no 7 in the second train, so I’m beginning to think that these two trains are not equal. I see a 2 and a 3 in the first train, and I see a 2 and a 3 in the second train, but the difference is there’s a 2 in this train and a 7 in this train.
We can add these numbers together to be sure, but I’m already thinking that these two trains are not equal to each other. First, I’m going to add 7 + 3, like the associative property says I can add in any order that I want, and I know that 7 + 3 makes 10. I can add the remaining 2, and 10 + 2 equals 12.
My first train has a sum of 12. In my second train, I’m going to add 3 + 2 together. I know 3 + 2 equals 5. I’ll add the remaining 2, and 5 + 2 equals 7. Twelve is not the same number as 7, so our two trains in the second example are not equal to each other.
Let’s take a look at our third example. In our third example, the first train is 5 + 4 + 8, and the second train has 4 + 9 + 5. Let’s see if we have any similar numbers. I have a 5 in the first train and a 5 in the second train. I have a 4 in the first train and a 4 in the second train, but our last numbers are 8 and 9 in the second train.
Again, I’m starting to think these two trains are not going to be equal to each other because they have different numbers. But let’s add these trains up and see if the sums are equal. First, I’m going to add 5 + 4. When I add 5 + 4, I know the answer is 9. Now I have to add 9 + 8. I can count up to find the sum of 9 + 8: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Nine plus eight is 17, so the sum of the first train is 17.
If I add the second train together, I’ll start with 4 + 5 because it doesn’t matter what order I add the numbers in, and 4 + 5 is 9, just like in my first train. But now I have to add 9 + 9, and already I think these sums are going to be different because I see an 8 in the first train and a 9 in the second train. But let’s add just to be sure: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. The sum of the second train is 18, and even though I added in the middle and even though I added in the order that made the addition easier, these two trains still have different sums. These two trains are not equal to each other.
Let’s check out our last example. In our last example, the first train has the addends 1 + 7 + 3, and our second train has the numbers 3 + 7 + 1. Let’s review the numbers and see if they’re the same. In the first train, I have a 1, and in the second train, I have a 1. In the first train, I have a 7, and in the second train, I have a 7. In the first train, there is a 3, and in the second train, there is a 3. So these numbers are exactly the same. They might not be in the same order, but remember, the associative property tells you it doesn’t matter what order you add the numbers in as long as you add them up.
So in my first train, I’m going to add 7 + 3 because I know 7 + 3 makes 10. I’ll add the remaining 1, and 1 + 10 gives me a total sum of 11. I bet my sum in the second train is also going to be 11, but let’s add just to be sure. First, I’m going to start with 7 + 3 again because I know 7 + 3 equals 10. I’ll add my 10 to my leftover 1, and 10 + 1 equals 11. Just as I thought, these sums are exactly the same. These two trains are equal to each other.
Remember, boys and girls, the associative property tells you that you can add the numbers in any order that you want. Just make sure that when you’re combining numbers, you’re adding numbers that make your life easier, not harder. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!
—
Feel free to let me know if you need any further modifications!
