Basic Math

For any two whole numbers a and b: $a\cdot b=b\cdot a$

$3\cdot 4=4\cdot 3$

Example:

$4\cdot 5=5\cdot 4$ In other words, the order in which the numbers are multiplied does not matter.

For any whole number a, $a\cdot 0=0$ In other words, any number × 0 = 0

Example: $4\cdot 0=0$

There is a unique whole number 1 with the property that, for any whole number a, $a\cdot 1=a$

Example: $5\cdot 1=5$ In other words, any number x 1 = the number.

For any whole numbers a,b and c. $$a\cdot b\cdot c=a(b\cdot c)=(a\cdot b)c$$

To multiply three numbers such as $4\cdot 3\cdot 6$, we multiply only two at a time. Then multiply the product with the third number. The order that the numbers are multiplied does not matter.

$(4\cdot 3)\cdot 6=12\cdot 6=72$ OR $(4\cdot 6)\cdot 3=24\cdot 3=72$ OR $(6\cdot 3)\cdot 4=18\cdot 4=72$

Example:
$\begin{array}{l}3(5\cdot 2)=3(10)=30\\ or\\ 2(3\cdot 5)=2(15)=30\\ \text{}\text{}\text{}\text{}\text{}or\\ 5(2\cdot 3)=5(6)=30\end{array}$

You could multiply these numbers in whichever order is easiest for you. The product will always be 30.