Properties of the Real Number System

Front

The order of addition or multiplication does not change the result.

Example: a + b = b + a

or ab = ba.

Back

Commutative Property

Front

Back

Commutative Property

Front

Example:

a + (b + 4) = a + (4 + b)

Back

Commutative Property

Front

The grouping of addition or multiplication does not change the result.

Example: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

or (ab)c = a(bc).

Back

Associative Property

Front

Back

Associative Property

Front

Multiplying a number by a sum is the same as doing each multiplication separately.

Example: a(b + c) = ab + ac.

Back

Distributive Property

Front

Back

Distributive Property

Front

Any number multiplied by zero is zero. Example: a × 0 = 0.

Back

Zero Property

Front

Back

Additive Inverses

Front

Two numbers whose sum is zero.

Example: x + (-x) = 0

Back

Additive Inverses