Properties of Math Worksheet | Commutative, Associative and Distributive Rules

Properties of math worksheet for grades 4 to 8

This properties of math worksheet is a 13 page packet with 80 questions for grades 4 to 8. It covers the six core properties of math: commutative, associative, distributive, identity, zero and inverse.

Students name the property that justifies an equation, judge true or false statements, complete vocabulary sentences from a Word Bank and use the properties to rewrite and expand expressions.

Teachers who need a properties of math worksheet for a unit on number rules will find four sections of 20 questions here, and the packet comes with an answer key, an answer sheet and a lesson plan.

What’s on the pages

The worksheet has four sections of 20 questions each, and each one has its own heading and directions.

• Multiple choice, identifying properties: students choose the property that matches an equation, such as a x 1 = a, the order of addition not changing the sum and 5 + (-5) = 0.
• True or false, understanding properties: statements such as the multiplicative identity being 0 and 5 x (6 x 2) = (5 x 6) x 2 showing the associative property.
• Fill in the blank, vocabulary and definitions: students use a Word Bank to fill in terms such as the multiplicative inverse and the name for the symbols ( ). Some words are not used.
• Short answer, applying properties: questions such as the multiplicative inverse of 2, expanding 2(a + b) and rewriting x + y with the commutative property.

The set includes algebra, so older students can use the same properties with letters as well as with numbers.

What’s in the download

• Student worksheet: 13 pages
• Answer key: 15 pages, with a short explanation after each answer
• Answer sheet: 4 pages
• Lesson plan: 2 pages

The four parts add up to 34 pages, and everything comes as PDF.

How to use this properties of math worksheet

The lesson plan is set for 90 minutes. Its objectives are to understand and define the commutative, associative, distributive, identity, zero and inverse properties, to identify the property from an equation, to judge true or false statements about properties, and to use the properties to rewrite, expand and simplify numeric and algebraic expressions.

The plan begins with a 15 minute introduction that reviews the definitions on the board with one clear example of each. Section 1 takes 20 minutes, and students are reminded to look at parentheses and the order of numbers to tell the associative property from the commutative property. Section 2 takes 15 minutes and includes a class talk on why subtraction and division do not share these properties.

The materials list printed copies of the worksheet, pencils and erasers, and a whiteboard and markers to demonstrate examples.

The answer sheet keeps the worksheet clean for reuse, and the answer key gives a short explanation after every answer.

Families who look for commutative associative distributive practice, a math properties worksheet or an identity and inverse properties review will find both here, and the properties of math worksheet with answer key pages lets a helper check the work quickly.

Where it fits

Use it for a number properties unit, math centers, homework, intervention or a review before a test. Homeschool families can work through one section a day.

Take a look at the preview pages before you buy, so you can see the worksheet, the answer key and the answer sheet.

For more practice, browse the math worksheets, the wider set of printable worksheets or the whole shop.

Many teachers use this properties of math worksheet in a weekly routine, one section per day, and repeat the set after a few weeks to see growth.

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