Commutative property of multiplication

Problem:





Taylor made these arrays to show the commutative property of multiplication.is that what the arrays show? 

Solution:

First of all, the commutative property of multiplication means the order of operands in a multiplication does not matter. $3 \times 4$ is the same as $4 \times 3$.

The arrays illustrate exactly that. If you look at the array on the right, it is $4 \times 3$ (4 rows of 3 beads each), but if we rotate the image, we will see $3 \times 4$ (3 rows of 4 beads each). Apparently they have to be the same, that 'proves' the commutative property of multiplication.