The Associative Property states:
the order of addends (+) or the order of factors (x),
when grouped in a single problem,
does not change the answer.
 The order may be different, yet the solution is the same.

6 + ( 5 + 4 )        6      + 9 =     15 is the same as... ( 6 + 5 ) + 4       11    +  4 =  15

Let's look at another example.
How many eggs are in 4 dozen?

One way is to multiply: 12x4=48

Another way is to add: 12+12+12+12=48

What bills and coins can you use to make $5.32?

1st way
 

OR

2nd way

Both ways equal $5.32.

What is the difference?

The first way uses the least number of bills and coins and the second way uses the most.

A bar graph is a graph that uses bars to show data.

A pictograph uses pictures or symbols to represent different numbers of the same item. The key tells how many each symbol stands for.

Cars In The School Parking Lot
Cars		Number
silver		12
blue		8
white		5
black		10
red		7
other		15

Key: Each  = 2 cars
        Each    =  1 car

Look at the two graphs.
What is alike?
Both graphs have the same title.
Both graphs display the same data.
What is different?
One graph is a bar graph,
while the other graph is a pictograph.

Mathematical ideas can be explored and explained by comparing them.