Properties of Equality

Front

What is the Additive Property of Equality?

Back

If you add the same number to both sides of an equation, the two sides remain equal. Example: If x = 5, then x + 3 = 5 + 3.

Front

What is the Subtraction Property of Equality?

Back

If you subtract the same number from both sides of an equation, the two sides remain equal. Example: If x = 5, then x - 2 = 5 - 2.

Front

What is the Multiplication Property of Equality?

Back

If you multiply both sides of an equation by the same non-zero number, the two sides remain equal. Example: If x = 5, then 2x = 2(5).

Front

What is the Division Property of Equality?

Back

If you divide both sides of an equation by the same non-zero number, the two sides remain equal. Example: If x = 10, then x/2 = 10/2.

Front

What is the Distributive Property?

Back

a(b + c) = ab + ac. Example: 4(x + 6) = 4x + 24.

Front

What is the Reflexive Property of Equality?

Back

Any quantity is equal to itself. Example: x = x.

Front

What is the Symmetric Property of Equality?

Back

If one quantity equals another, then the second quantity equals the first. Example: If a = b, then b = a.

Front

What is the Transitive Property of Equality?

Back

If a = b and b = c, then a = c. Example: If x = 3 and 3 = y, then x = y.

Front

What is the Associative Property of Addition?

Back

Changing the grouping of numbers does not change their sum. Example: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).

Front

What is the Associative Property of Multiplication?

Back

Changing the grouping of numbers does not change their product. Example: (a × b) × c = a × (b × c).