ALGEBRA 1: 1.

4- Numerical Properties & 

Expressions 
 
Section Target  You will be able to identify and use numerical properties of 
numbers. 
You will be able to write expressions to model real-life 
situations.  

 
Key Vocabulary  ● Distributive Property 
● Commutative Property 
● Associative Property 
● Identity Property 
● Inverse Property 
● Sum 
● Product 
● Difference 
● Quotient 

 
NUMERICAL PROPERTIES 
 
Last section we learned about the ​distributive property​, which is just one of many 
numerical properties we will study this year. Here are a few additional properties we 
will learn and use regularly.  
 
Property Name  Example   Example 

Commutative Property   a + b = b + a  5 + 2 = 2 + 5 
a · b = b · a  6 · 3 = 3 · 6 
Explanation:  With multiplication and addition, they can be completed in any 
order and will get the same result.  

Associative Property  a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c   3 + (5 + 4) = (3 + 5) + 4  
a(b × c) = (a × b)c   7(9 + 6) = (7 × 9)6  
Explanation:  Numbers can “associate” differently under multiplication and 
 addition and still get the same result.  

Additive Identity  a + 0 = a  − 40 + 0 =− 40  
Property 

Explanation:  Both identity properties look at getting the original value as a 

result. For addition, adding 0 results in the original number.  

Multiplicative Identity  a · 1 = a  256 · 1 = 256  

Property 

Explanation:  Both identity properties look at getting the original value as a 

result. For multiplication, multiplying by 1 results in the original 
number.  

Additive Inverse Property  a + (− a) = 0   7 + (− 7) = 0  

Explanation:  For both inverse properties, we are looking to “undo” the 

number. For the additive inverse, we are looking to get 0 as a 
result. Adding the opposite of the number results in 0.   

Multiplicative Inverse  a· 1
a = 1  − 2
3 ·− 3
2 = 1 
Property 

Explanation:  For both inverse properties, we are looking to “undo” the 

number. For the multiplicative inverse we are looking to get 1 as 
a result. Multiplying by the reciprocal of the number gets us 1.  
 
Example 1- Identify the property being  Example 2- Identify the property being 
used:  used: 
7x + 2.5 − 7x = 2.5     5 + (x + 2) = (5 + x) + 2    
   
The additive inverse property is being  The numbers are associating differently- 
used- 7x + (− 7x) = 0   It is the associative property.  
 
WRITING EXPRESSIONS 
 
To write expressions, there are a few mathematical words that will help us write 
expressions efficiently.  
 
Operation  Words/Phrases  Example 
 +  Sum, more than, more  Sum of 5 and x: 5 + x  

−  Difference, less than, less  7 less than q: q − 7  

×  Product, ____ times,  Product of 11 and z: 11 × z  

double, triple etc. 
5+p
÷  Quotient, half, third etc.   Quotient of 5+p and -6: −6  
 
Example 3- Write an expression for:  Example 4- Write an expression for: 
The sum of three times a number and 5.  The quotient of -7 and the sum of x and 
  2. 
3n + 5    
  −7
x+2  
Any variable can be used, and sum indicates 
addition.    
Quotient indicates division, and then the sum of 
x and 2 is an addition piece.  

 
These can also be used to write expressions about word problems and situations 
given in math problems.  
 
Example 5- Write an expression for:  Example 6- Write an expression for: 
Holly and Anna go shopping, and Anna’s  Kendall is 3 years older than half her 
bill is $2 less than triple Holly’s bill.  sister’s age ( y ). Write an expression for 
Write an expression for Anna’s bill using  Kendall’s age.  
x to represent Holly’s bill.    
  2y + 3  
1

3x − 2  
 
Triple represents multiplication by 3, and -2 
comes from $2 less than.  
 
 
HOMEWORK:​ WAMAP Assignment 1.4 
 
Additional Resources: 
Description  Resource 

Khan Academy- Number Properties  https://www.khanacademy.org/math/on-sixth-gr

 ade-math/on-number-sense-numeration/on-prop
erties-numbers/v/commutative-law-of-addition 
 

Number Properties Notes  https://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/real-number-

properties.html 
 

Khan Academy- Writing Expressions  https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra-ba

sics/core-algebra-expressions/core-algebra-varia
bles-and-expressions/v/writing-expressions-1 
 

Khan Academy- Writing Expressions  https://www.khanacademy.org/math/in-sixth-gr

ade-math/algebra-in/expressions-variables/v/wr
iting-expressions-2