Which equation demonstrates the associative property of multiplication?

The associative property of multiplication states that the way in which factors are grouped does not affect the product. This means that when you have three numbers multiplied together, changing the grouping of those numbers does not change the result.

The equation that exemplifies this property is (a×b)×c = a×(b×c). Here, whether you first multiply a and b, and then multiply the result by c, or first multiply b and c, and then multiply a by that result, the final product remains the same. This clearly illustrates that the grouping of the factors is irrelevant to the final outcome, which is the essence of the associative property.

The other options represent different mathematical concepts. One describes the distributive property, another is an illustration of the commutative property, and the last one also showcases the distributive property. Understanding these distinctions is critical for mastering the foundational concepts of multiplication properties.