To solve the equation [tex]\(52 \times 18 = 18 \times \_\_\)[/tex], we can use the commutative property of multiplication. The commutative property states that the order in which we multiply two numbers does not change the result. In other words, for any two numbers [tex]\(a\)[/tex] and [tex]\(b\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ a \times b = b \times a \][/tex]
Given the problem:
[tex]\[ 52 \times 18 = 18 \times \_\_\][/tex]
We need to identify the missing term on the right side of the equation. Using the commutative property, we see that the numbers being multiplied on the left side are 52 and 18. Therefore, these must be the same numbers on the right side, just in reverse order.
Thus, the missing term must be 52.
Hence, the equation completes as:
[tex]\[ 52 \times 18 = 18 \times 52 \][/tex]
To further verify, we can calculate [tex]\(52 \times 18\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 52 \times 18 = 936 \][/tex]
This implies:
[tex]\[ 18 \times 52 = 936 \][/tex]
The value 936 appears on both sides of the equation, confirming the solution is correct. So, the completed equation is:
[tex]\[ 52 \times 18 = 18 \times 52 \][/tex]
And the missing term we sought is 52.
