Which property of numbers allows for flexible grouping in multiplication?

The associative property of multiplication is the principle that allows for flexible grouping of numbers when performing multiplication operations. This means that when multiplying three or more numbers, the way the numbers are grouped does not affect the product. For example, whether you calculate (2 × 3) × 4 or 2 × (3 × 4), the result will be the same. This property highlights that the association of numbers in groups is not crucial to the outcome of the multiplication, making it easier to compute and understand multiplication across various contexts.

In contrast, the commutative property relates to the order of numbers, indicating that changing the order of multiplication does not affect the product. The distributive property involves distributing a multiplier across an additive expression, while the identity property states that multiplying any number by one results in that number remaining unchanged. Understanding these differences helps clarify why the associative property is specifically about grouping flexibility.