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1.6.9: Addition and Multiplication Properties with Real Numbers

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    Properties of Real Number Multiplication

    Does (−2)×(−3) give the same result as (−3)×(−2)?

    Properties of Multiplying Real Numbers

    There are five properties of multiplication that are important for you to know:

    Commutative Property

    The commutative property of multiplication states that the order in which two numbers are multiplied does not affect the sum. If a and b are real numbers, then a×b=b×a.

    Closure Property

    The product of any two real numbers will result in a real number. This is known as the closure property of multiplication. In general, the closure property states that the product of any two real numbers is a unique real number. If a,b and c are real numbers, then a×b=c.

    Associative Property

    The order in which three or more real numbers are grouped for multiplication will not affect the product. This is known as the associative property of multiplication. The result will always be the same real number. In general, the associative property states that the order in which the numbers are grouped for multiplication does not change the product. If a,b and c are real numbers, then (a×b)×c=a×(b×c).

    Multiplicative Identity

    When any real number is multiplied by the number one, the real number does not change. This is true whether the real number is positive or negative. The number 1 is called the multiplicative identity or the identity element of multiplication. The product of a number and one is the number. This is called the identity property of multiplication. If a is a real number, then a×1=a.

    Multiplicative Inverse

    If a is a nonzero real number, then the reciprocal or multiplicative inverse of a is 1a. The product of any nonzero real number and its reciprocal is always one. The number 1 is called the multiplicative identity or the identity element of multiplication. Therefore, the product of a and its reciprocal is the identity element of multiplication (one). This is known as the inverse property of multiplication. If a is a nonzero real number, then a×1a=1.

    Now, let's apply the properties to the following problems:

    1. Does (−3)×(+2)=(+2)×(−3)?

    (−3)×(+2)=(+2)×(−3)=−6

    This is an example of the commutative property of multiplication.

    1. Does (−6)×(+3) equal a real number?

    (−6)×(+3)=−18, a real number. This is an example of the closure property of multiplication.

    1. Does (−3×2)×2=−3×(2×2)?

    (−3×2)×2=−3×(2×2)=−12 Even though the numbers are grouped differently, the result is the same. This is an example of the associative property of multiplication.

    1. Does 8×1=8?

    Yes. This is an example of the identity property of multiplication.

    1. Does 7×17=1?

    Yes. This is an example of the inverse property of multiplication.

    Examples

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Earlier, you were given a problem that asked if the statement (−2)×(−3)=(−3)×(−2)=6 is true.

    Solution

    The order in which you multiplied the numbers did not affect the answer. This is an example of the commutative property of multiplication.

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Multiply using the properties of multiplication: (6×1/6)×(3×−1)

    Solution

    (6×1/6)×(3×−1)=6/6×−3=1×−3=−3

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    What property of multiplication justifies the statement (−9×5)×2=−9×(5×2)?

    Solution

    The associative property of multiplication because the numbers were regrouped with parentheses.

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    What property of multiplication justifies the statement −176×1=−176?

    Solution

    The identity property of multiplication because any number multiplied by 1 is itself.

    Review

    Match the following numbered multiplication statements with the letter of the correct property of multiplication.

    1. 9×1/9=1
    2. (−7×4)×2=−7×(4×2)
    3. −8×(4)=−32
    4. 6×(−3)=(−3)×6
    5. −7×1=−7
    1. Commutative Property
    2. Closure Property
    3. Inverse Property
    4. Identity Property
    5. Associative Property

    In each of the following, circle the correct answer.

    1. What does −5(4)(−1/5)equal?
      1. –20
      2. –4
      3. +20
      4. +4
    1. What is another name for the reciprocal of any real number?
      1. the additive identity
      2. the multiplicative identity
      3. the multiplicative inverse
      4. the additive inverse
    1. What is the multiplicative identity?
      1. –1
      2. 1
      3. 0
      4. 1/2
    1. What is the product of a nonzero real number and its multiplicative inverse?
      1. 1
      2. –1
      3. 0
      4. there is no product
    1. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
      1. The product of any real number and negative one is the opposite of the real number.
      2. The product of any real number and zero is always zero.
      3. The order in which two real numbers are multiplied does not affect the product.
      4. The product of any real number and negative one is always a negative number.

    Name the property of multiplication that is being shown in each of the following multiplication statements:

    1. (−6×7)×2=−6×(7×2)
    2. −12×1=−12
    3. 25×3=3×25
    4. 10×1/10=1
    5. −12×3=−36

    Review (Answers)

    To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 1.10.

    Vocabulary

    Term Definition
    Associative property The associative property states that the order in which three or more values are grouped for multiplication or addition will not affect the product or sum. For example: (a+b)+c=a+(b+c) and\,(ab)c=a(bc).
    Closure Property The closure property of addition states that the sum of any two real numbers is a unique real number. If a,b and c are real numbers, then a+b=c.
    Commutative Property The commutative property states that the order in which two numbers are added or multiplied does not affect the sum or product. For example a+b=b+a and\,(a)(b)=(b)(a).
    Identity Element of Multiplication The identity element of multiplication is another term for the multiplicative identity of multiplication. The identity element of multiplication is the number one.
    identity property of multiplication The identity property of multiplication states that the product of a number and one is the number. If a is a real number, then a×1=a.
    Inverse Property of Multiplication The inverse property of multiplication states that the product of any real number and its multiplicative inverse (reciprocal) is one. If a is a nonzero real number, then a×(1a)=1.
    Multiplicative Identity The multiplicative identity for multiplication of real numbers is one.
    Multiplicative Inverse The multiplicative inverse of a number is the reciprocal of the number. The product of a real number and its multiplicative inverse will always be equal to 1 (which is the multiplicative identity for real numbers).

    Additonal Resources

    PLIX: Play, Learn, Interact, eXplore: The Secret of Subtraction

    Video:

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