Laws of elementary algebra

Addition is a commutative operation (two numbers add to the same thing whichever order you add them in). o Subtraction is the reverse of addition. o To subtract is the same as to add a negative number:

Example: if 5 + x = 3 then x = 2. Multiplication is a commutative operation. o Division is the reverse of multiplication. o To divide is the same as to multiply by a reciprocal:

Exponentiation is not a commutative operation. o Therefore exponentiation has a pair of reverse operations: logarithm and exponentiation with fractional exponents (e.g. square roots). Examples: if 3x = 10 then x = log310. If x2 = 10 then x = 101 / 2. o The square roots of negative numbers do not exist in the real number system. (See: complex number system) Associative property of addition: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c). Associative property of multiplication: (ab)c = a(bc). Distributive property of multiplication with respect to addition: c(a + b) = ca + cb. Distributive property of exponentiation with respect to multiplication: (ab)c = acbc. How to combine exponents: abac = ab + c. Power to a power property of exponents: (ab)c = abc.

Laws of equality
If a = b and b = c, then a = c (transitivity of equality). a = a (reflexivity of equality). If a = b then b = a (symmetry of equality).

Other laws
If a = b and c = d then a + c = b + d. o If a = b then a + c = b + c for any c (addition property of equality). If a = b and c = d then ac = bd. o If a = b then ac = bc for any c (multiplication property of equality). If two symbols are equal, then one can be substituted for the other at will (substitution principle). If a > b and b > c then a > c (transitivity of inequality). If a > b then a + c > b + c for any c. If a > b and c > 0 then ac > bc. If a > b and c < 0 then ac < bc.