Sure!
The terms you’re talking about are properties of operations (like
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). These properties help us
understand how numbers and operations behave in different situations. Let’s
go over them and list some common ones you might have studied in 5th to
8th grade.
1. Commutative Property
• Commutative Property of Addition: The order in which you add
numbers doesn’t change the sum.
◦ Example: ( 3 + 5 = 5 + 3 )
• Commutative Property of Multiplication: The order in which you
multiply numbers doesn’t change the product.
◦ Example: ( 4 = 6 )
2. Associative Property
• Associative Property of Addition: The way you group numbers when
adding them doesn’t affect the sum.
◦ Example: ( (2 + 3) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4) )
• Associative Property of Multiplication: The way you group numbers
when multiplying them doesn’t affect the product.
◦ Example: ( (2 ) = 2 (3 ) )
3. Distributive Property
• The distributive property shows how multiplication works over addition
or subtraction. You distribute the number outside the parentheses to
each term inside.
◦ Example: ( 3 (4 + 5) = 3 + 3 )
4. Identity Property
• Identity Property of Addition: Adding zero to a number doesn’t
change its value.
◦ Example: ( 7 + 0 = 7 )
• Identity Property of Multiplication: Multiplying a number by 1
doesn’t change its value.
◦ Example: ( 8 = 8 )
5. Inverse Property
• Inverse Property of Addition: The inverse of a number is the
opposite. Adding a number and its opposite (negative) gives zero.
◦ Example: ( 5 + (-5) = 0 )
• Inverse Property of Multiplication: The inverse of a number (for
multiplication) is its reciprocal. Multiplying a number by its reciprocal
gives 1.
◦ Example: ( 4 = 1 )
6. Zero Property of Multiplication
• Any number multiplied by 0 is 0.
◦ Example: ( 5 = 0 )
7. Reflexive Property
• A number is always equal to itself.
◦ Example: ( 7 = 7 )
8. Symmetric Property
• If ( a = b ), then ( b = a ).
◦ Example: If ( 3 = x ), then ( x = 3 )
9. Transitive Property
• If ( a = b ) and ( b = c ), then ( a = c ).
◦ Example: If ( 2 = 3 ) and ( 3 = 4 ), then ( 2 = 4 )
10. Additive Inverse Property
• Every number has an opposite, and the sum of the number and its
opposite is 0.
◦ Example: ( 7 + (-7) = 0 )
11. Multiplicative Inverse Property
• Every number has a reciprocal, and the product of a number and its
reciprocal is 1 (except for 0, since 0 doesn’t have a reciprocal).
◦ Example: ( 4 = 1 )
Summary:
• Commutative: The order of addition or multiplication doesn’t matter.
• Associative: Grouping of numbers doesn’t affect the result.
• Distributive: Multiplying a sum is the same as multiplying each term
and then adding them.
• Identity: Zero is the identity for addition, and one is the identity for
multiplication.
• Inverse: Adding the opposite gives zero, and multiplying by the
reciprocal gives one.
• Zero Property: Anything multiplied by zero equals zero.
These properties are key to understanding basic arithmetic and algebra.
They help make calculations easier and allow you to solve problems in a
more systematic way.
These are the most common properties you’ll come across in basic math,
especially in grades 5 to 8. However, there are a few more important
concepts related to operations and numbers that can help you in algebra
and beyond. Here are a couple more properties and concepts you might
encounter:
1. Property of Equality
• Reflexive Property of Equality: Anything is equal to itself.
◦ Example: ( a = a )
• Symmetric Property of Equality: If one thing equals another, then
the second thing equals the first.
◦ Example: If ( a = b ), then ( b = a )
• Transitive Property of Equality: If one thing equals a second, and
that second equals a third, then the first equals the third.
◦ Example: If ( a = b ) and ( b = c ), then ( a = c )
2. Multiplication Property of Zero
• Any number multiplied by 0 gives 0.
◦ Example: ( 9 = 0 )
3. Addition Property of Zero
• Any number added to 0 gives the number itself.
◦ Example: ( 7 + 0 = 7 )
4. Multiplicative Property of -1
• Multiplying any number by ( -1 ) changes its sign (positive to negative
and vice versa).
◦ Example: ( 5 (-1) = -5 )
5. Distributive Property of Division over Addition/
Subtraction
• Division is distributive over addition and subtraction, similar to
multiplication.
◦ Example: ( = + )
6. Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS)
• This is the rule for the correct order in which to perform operations in
math.
◦ PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and
Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right).
7. Exponent Rules
• Product of Powers: ( a^m a^n = a^{m+n} )
• Power of a Power: ( (am)n = a^{m n} )
• Power of a Product: ( (ab)^n = a^n b^n )
• Negative Exponent: ( a^{-n} = )
8. Factorization and Prime Factorization
• This refers to breaking down numbers into their prime factors, which
can help with simplifying expressions and solving equations.
9. Properties of Inequalities
• Addition Property of Inequality: If ( a < b ), then ( a + c < b + c )
• Multiplication Property of Inequality: If ( a < b ) and ( c > 0 ), then
( a c < b c ). (If ( c < 0 ), the inequality direction reverses.)
10. Absolute Value
• The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number
line, and it’s always positive or zero.
◦ Example: ( | -5 | = 5 )
To Sum Up:
In middle school, the properties listed earlier (commutative, associative,
distributive, etc.) are the foundational properties for arithmetic. But as you
progress into algebra and higher math, you’ll learn new properties like those
involving exponents, inequalities, and order of operations.
Don’t worry about learning all the properties at once. The key is to master
the basic ones first, and then as you go through more advanced math, you’ll
naturally come across the others!
Would you like to dive into any of these properties in more detail?
