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PREALGEBRA: OPERATIONS
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Properties of Multiplication
In the last section, we learned how to add long strings of numbers using the properties
of addition. Similarly, it is sometimes necessary to multiply long strings of numbers
without a calculator; this task is made easier by learning some of the properties of
multiplication.
Multiplication and addition have some similar properties. Like addition, multiplication
has a Commutative Property and an Associative Property.
Commutative Property
The commutative property for multiplication states that for any numbers a and b, the
following is always true:
a×b = b×a
For example, 3×4 = 4×3. We can see that this is true because 3×4 = 12 and 4×3 = 12, so
3×4 = 4×3. Just as in addition, we can multiply a long string of numbers in any order.
This can make multiplication without a calculator easier. For example:
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9/4/2019 SparkNotes: Prealgebra: Operations: Properties of Multiplication
Associative Property
The associative property for multiplication states that for any numbers a, b, and c, the
following is always true:
(a×b)×c = a×(b×c)
For example, (2×5)×6 = 2×(5×6). We can see that this is true because (2×5)×6 = 10×6 = 60,
and 2×(5×6) = 2×30 = 60. Thus, (2×5)×6 = 2×(5×6)
Identity Property
Multiplication also has its own Identity Property. This property states that when any
number is multiplied by 1, it does not change its identity. For any number a, the
following is always true:
a×1=a
1×a=a
For example, 45×1 = 45. 1×123 = 123.
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9/4/2019 SparkNotes: Prealgebra: Operations: Properties of Multiplication
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