Identify the property of mathematics:

When three or more numbers are multiplied, the product is the same regardless of the order of the multiplicands. For example:
[tex](a \cdot b) \cdot c = a \cdot (b \cdot c)[/tex]

A. Inverse Property of Division
B. Associative Property of Multiplication
C. Identity Property of Multiplication
D. None of these answers are correct.
E. Commutative Property of Multiplication



Answer :

When identifying the property of mathematics described in the question, we need to analyze the statement carefully. The statement provided is:

"When three or more numbers are multiplied, the product is the same regardless of the grouping of the numbers. For example: (a b) c = a (b c)"

Let's go through the options provided:

1. Inverse Property of Division: This property involves the idea that any number divided by itself equals 1. For example, [tex]\(a / a = 1\)[/tex] (provided that [tex]\(a \neq 0\)[/tex]). This property does not relate to the grouping of numbers in multiplication.

2. Associative Property of Multiplication: This property states that the way in which numbers are grouped when being multiplied does not change the product. For example: [tex]\((a b) c = a (b c)\)[/tex]. This exactly matches the statement given in the question.

3. Identity Property of Multiplication: This property indicates that any number multiplied by 1 remains unchanged. For example, [tex]\(a 1 = a\)[/tex]. This property does not discuss the grouping of numbers.

4. Commutative Property of Multiplication: This property involves the idea that the order in which two numbers are multiplied does not change the product. For example, [tex]\(a
b = b * a\)[/tex]. This property does not specifically address the grouping of more than two numbers.

5. None of these answers are correct: This option can be eliminated if one of the listed properties correctly matches the given description.

From the analysis above, it is clear that the property described in the question is the Associative Property of Multiplication.

Therefore, the correct answer is:
Associative Property of Multiplication