ALGEBRA

ASSOCIATIVE PROPERTY OF ALGEBRA

- Associative property comes from the word "associate" which deals with the grouping of
numbers.
- Grouping of numbers can be changed in the case of addition and multiplication of three
numbers without changing the final result.

Associative Property of Addition

The associative property of addition is the property of numbers which states that the way in
which three or more numbers are grouped does not change the sum of these numbers. This
means that the sum of three or more numbers remains the same irrespective of the way in
which they are grouped. Let us learn more about the associative property of addition in this
article.

The formula for the associative property of addition shows that grouping of numbers in a
different way does not affect the sum. The brackets that group the numbers help to make the
process of addition simpler. Observe the following formula for the associative property of
addition.
Formula: a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c

Let us take an example to understand and prove the formula. Let us group 13 + 7 + 3 in three
ways.
● Step 1: We can group the set of numbers as (13 + 7) + 3, 13 + (7 + 3), and (13 + 3) +
7.
● Step 2: Add the first set of numbers, that is, (13 + 7) + 3. This can be further solved
as 20 + 3 = 23.
● Step 3: Add the second set, i.e., 13 + (7 + 3) = 13 + 10 = 23.
● Step 4: Now, solve the third set, i.e., (13 + 3) + 7 = 16 + 7 = 23.
● Step 5: The sum of all three expressions is 23. This shows that no matter how we

group the numbers with the help of brackets, the sum remains the same.

Associative Property of Addition and Multiplication

The associative property is applicable to addition and multiplication, but it does not exist in
subtraction and division. We know that the associative property of addition says that the
grouping of numbers does not change the sum of a given set of numbers. This means, (7 + 4) +
2 = 7 + (4 + 2) = 13. Similarly, the associative property of multiplication says that the grouping of
numbers does not change the product of the given set of numbers. This formula is expressed as
(a × b) × c = a × (b × c). For example, (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4) = 24.
Property of Multiplication Formula: a × (b × c) = (a × b) × c

Note:
● The associative property is applicable only to addition and multiplication.
● Associative properties are in line with the ability to associate or group numbers,
which is not possible in the case of subtraction and division.
● The associative property is among the list of properties in mathematics that are
helpful in the manipulation of mathematical equations and their solutions.