LESSON

2 Properties of Operations

Power Up Building Power

facts Power Up A

mental a. Measurement: 2 score and 8

math 1
b. Measurement: 12 dozen
c. Number Sense: Half of 100
d. Number Sense: 400 + 500
e. Number Sense: 9000 − 3000
f. Number Sense: 20 × 30
g. Probability: What is the probability of rolling an odd number on a
number cube?
h. Calculation/Measurement: Start with a dozen. Divide by 2; multiply
by 4; add 1; divide by 5; then subtract 5. What is the answer?

problem German mathematician Karl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) developed a

solving method for quickly adding a sequence of numbers when he was a boy.
Like Gauss, we can sometimes solve difficult problems by making the
problem simpler.
Problem: What is the sum of the first ten natural numbers?
Understand We are asked to find the sum of the first ten natural numbers.
Plan We will begin by making the problem simpler. If the assignment had
been to add the first four natural numbers, we could simply add 1 + 2 +
3 + 4. However, adding columns of numbers can be time consuming. We will
try to find a pattern that will help add the natural numbers 1–10 more quickly.
Solve We can find pairs of addends in the sequence that have the same
sum and multiply by the number of pairs. We try this pairing technique on the
sequence given in the problem:
12345  6  7  8  9 10  11  5  55
11
11
11
11
11
Check We found the sum of the first ten natural numbers by pairing the
addends and multiplying. We can verify our solution by adding the numbers
one-by-one with pencil and paper or a calculator.

Lesson 2 13
 New Concept Increasing Knowledge

Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. We can “undo” an addition

by subtracting one addend from the sum.
2+3=5 5−3=2
Together, the numbers 2, 3, and 5 form an addition-subtraction fact family.
With them, we can write two addition facts and two subtraction facts.
2+3=5 5−3=2
3+2=5 5−2=3
We see that both 2 + 3 and 3 + 2 equal 5. Changing the order of addends
does not change the sum. This characteristic of addition is known as the
Commutative Property of Addition and is often stated in equation form
using variables.
a+b=b+a
Since changing the order of numbers in subtraction may change the result,
subtraction is not commutative.
Addition is commutative.
2+3=3+2
Subtraction is not commutative.
Reading Math 5−3≠3−5
The symbol ≠ The Identity Property of Addition states that when zero is added to a given
means is not
number, the sum is equal to the given number.
equal to.
a+0=a
Thus, zero is the additive identity.
Multiplication and division are also inverse operations. Dividing a product by
one of its factors “undoes” the multiplication.
4 × 5 = 20 20 ÷ 5 = 4
Together, the numbers 4, 5, and 20 form a multiplication-division fact family
that can be arranged into two multiplication facts and two division facts.
4 × 5 = 20 20 ÷ 5 = 4
5 × 4 = 20 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Thinking Skill Changing the order of the factors does not change the product. This
Conclude characteristic of multiplication is known as the Commutative Property of
How are the Multiplication.
Commutative
a×b=b×a
Properties of
addition and Since changing the order of division may change the quotient, division is not
multiplication commutative.
alike?
Multiplication is commutative.
4×5=5×4
Division is not commutative.
20 ÷ 5 ≠ 5 ÷ 20

14 Saxon Math Course 2

The Identity Property of Multiplication states that when a given number
is multiplied by 1, the result equals the given number. Thus, 1 is the
multiplicative identity.
a×1=a
The Property of Zero for Multiplication states that when a number is
multiplied by zero, the product is zero.
a×0=0
The operations of arithmetic are binary, which means that we only work with
two numbers in one step. If we wish to add
2+3+4
we can add two of the numbers and then add the other number. The
parentheses around 2 + 3 in the expression below show that 2 + 3 should
be treated as a single quantity. Therefore, 2 and 3 should be added, and then
4 should be added to the sum.
(2 + 3) + 4 add 2 and 3 first
5+4 then add 5 and 4
9 sum
In the expression below, the parentheses indicate that 3 and 4 are to be
added first.
2 + (3 + 4) add 3 and 4 first
2+7 then add 2 and 7
9 sum
Notice that the sum is the same whichever way we group the addends.
(2 + 3 ) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4)
The Associative Property of Addition states that the grouping of addends
does not change the sum.
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
There is a similar property for multiplication. The Associative Property
of Multiplication states that the grouping of factors does not change the
product.
(a × b) × c = a × (b × c)
Verify Show that the equation above represents the Associative Property.

The grouping of numbers in subtraction and division does affect the result, as
we see in the following expressions. Thus, there is no associative property of
subtraction, and there is no associative property of division.
(8 − 4) − 2 ≠ 8 − (4 − 2)
(8 ÷ 4) ÷ 2 ≠ 8 ÷ (4 ÷ 2)
DiscussHow do the equations above prove that the Associative Property
cannot be applied to subtraction and division?

Lesson 2 15
 We summarize these properties in the following table:

Properties of Operations
Commutative Properties
a+b=b+a
a×b=b×a
Associative Properties
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
(a × b) × c = a × (b × c)
Identity Properties
a+0=a
a×1=a
Property of Zero for Multiplication
a×0=0

Example 1
Name each property illustrated:
a. 5 ∙ 3 = 3 ∙ 5
b. (3 + 4) + 5 = 3 + (4 + 5)
c. 6 + 0 = 6
d. 6 ∙ 0 = 0

Solution

a. Commutative Property of Multiplication

b. Associative Property of Addition
c. Identity Property of Addition
d. Property of Zero for Multiplication
Generalize Use the numbers 5, 7, and 9 to show the Associative Property of
Multiplication.

Example 2
Which property can we use to find each unknown number?
a. 8 + ? = 8
b. 1 × ? = 9
c. 10 × ? = 0

Solution

a. Identity Property of Addition

b. Identity Property of Multiplication
c. Property of Zero for Multiplication

16 Saxon Math Course 2

 We can use properties of operations to simplify expressions and to solve
equations. In example 3 we show a way to simplify 4 × (15 × 25). We list
and describe each step.

Example 3
Dena simplified 4 × (15 × 25) in four steps. Justify each step.
Step: Justification:
4 × (15 × 25) The given expression
Step 1: 4 × (25 × 15)
Step 2: (4 × 25) × 15
Step 3: 100 × 15
Step 4: 1500

Solution

Thinking Skill We study how Dena changed the expression from one step to the next. To
Discuss the right of each step, we justify that step by stating the property or operation
How can the Dena used.
properties help us Step: Justification:
use mental math
to simplify the 4 × (15 × 25) The given expression
expression? Step 1: 4 × (25 × 15) Commutative Property of Multiplication
Step 2: (4 × 25) × 15 Associative Property of Multiplication
Step 3: 100 × 15 Multiplied 4 and 25
Step 4: 1500 Multiplied 100 and 15

Practice Set a. Which number is known as the additive identity? Which number is the
multiplicative identity?

b. Which operation is the inverse of multiplication?

c. Use the letters x, y, and z to write an equation that illustrates the

Associative Property of Addition. Then write an example using counting
numbers of your choosing.

d. Name the property we can use to find the missing number in this
equation:
5×?=8×5

Add, subtract, multiply, or divide as indicated to simplify each expression.

Remember to work within the parentheses first.
e. (5 + 4) + 3 f. 5 + (4 + 3)

g. (10 − 5) − 3 h. 10 − (5 − 3)

i. (6 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 5 j. 6 ⋅ (2 ⋅ 5)

k. (12 ÷ 6) ÷ 2 l. 12 ÷ (6 ÷ 2)

Lesson 2 17
 m. Justify List the properties used in each step to simplify the expression
5 × (14 × 2).
Step: Justification:
5 × (14 × 2) Given expression
Step 1: 5 × (2 × 14)
Step 2: (5 × 2) × 14
Step 3: 10 × 14
Step 4: 140

Written Practice Strengthening Concepts

1
* 1. When the product of 2 and 3 is subtracted from the sum of 4 and 5,
(1)
what is the difference?

2. Write 4 cents twice, once with a dollar sign and once with a cent
(1)
sign.

3. The sign shown is incorrect. Show two

(1)
ways to correct the sign. Fruit
0.75¢
* 4. Which operation of arithmetic is the inverse
(2) per apple
of addition?

* 5. If the dividend is 60 and the divisor is 4, what is the quotient?

(1)

6. Connect For the fact family 3, 4, and 7, we can write two addition facts
(2)
and two subtraction facts.
3+4=7 7−4=3
4+3=7 7−3=4
For the fact family 3, 5, and 15, write two multiplication facts and two
division facts.

7. Justify List the properties used in the first and second steps to simplify
(2)
the expression 5 + (27 + 35).
Step: Justification:
5 + (27 + 35) Given expression
Step 1: (27 + 35) + 5 a.
Step 2: 27 + (35 + 5) b.
Step 3: 27 + 40 Added 5 and 35
Step 4: 67 Added 27 and 40

1
The italicized numbers within parentheses underneath each problem number are called lesson
reference numbers. These numbers refer to the lesson(s) in which the major concept of that
particular problem is introduced. If additional assistance is needed, refer to the discussion,
examples, or practice problems of that lesson.

18 Saxon Math Course 2

 Simplify:
$30.00
8. $20.00 9. $1.54 10.
(1) (1) (1) 8
 $14.79 × 7

* 11. $4.36 + 75¢ + $12 + 6¢

(1)

* 12. Analyze $10.00 − ($4.89 + 74¢) 13. 8

(2) (1)
5
14. 3105 ÷ 15 4
(1)
6
15. 40 冄 1630
(1) 5
16. 81 ÷ (9 ÷ 3) 4
(2)
3
17. (81 ÷ 9) ÷ 3 7
(2)
2
18. (10)($3.75)
(1) 4
* 19. 3167 − (450 − 78) 1
(2)
8
* 20. (3167 − 450) − 78
(2)

21. $20.00 ÷ 16
(1)

22. 70 ⋅ 800
(1)

23. 3714 + 268 + 47 + 9 24. 5 ⋅ 4 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 1

(1) (1)

* 25. $20 − ($1.47 + $8) 26. 30 × 45¢

(2) (1)

* 27. Which property can we use to find each missing number?

(2)
a. 10 x = 0 b. 10 y = 10

* 28. Evaluate each expression for x = 18 and y = 3:

(1)
a. x − y b. xy
x
c. y d. x + y

* 29. Explain Why is zero called the additive identity?

(2)

* 30. Connect The equation below shows the relationship of factors and their
(1)
product
factor × factor = product
Using the vocabulary we have learned, write a similar equation to show
the relationships in division.

Lesson 2 19