Math 7 Worksheet - Properties of numbers

THE COMMUTATIVE PROPERTY OF ADDITION OR OF MULTIPLICATION:

You can switch the order of two terms in addition or two factors in multiplication
(but not in subtraction or division) [ examples: 2 + 3 = 3 + 2, 2 · 3 = 3 · 2, xy = yx ]

THE ASSOCIATIVE PROPERTY OF ADDITION OR OF MULTIPLICATION:

You can re-group three or more terms in addition or three or more factors in
multiplication
(but not in subtraction or division) [ examples: 2 + (3 + 5) = (3 + 2) + 5, 2 · (3 · 5)
= (3 · 2) · 5,
BUT 2 – (3 – 5) = 2 – 3 + 5, x – (y – z) = (x – y) + z, 20 ÷ (10 ÷ 2) = (20 ÷ 10) × 2]

THE DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY OF MULTIPLICATION OVER ADDITION OR

SUBTRACTION:
A number times a group of terms in parentheses can be “distributed”
(i.e. the number multiplied with each term separately), and the parentheses removed.
[ examples: 2(3 + 5) = (2 · 3 + 2 · 5), 2(x – 5) = (2x – 2 · 5), (x + 2)y = xy + 2y]

THE IDENTITY PROPERTY OF ADDITION OR OF MULTIPLICATION:

For addition: Adding 0 to something doesn’t change it (“keeps its identity”)
For multiplication: Multiplying 1 by something doesn’t change it (“keeps its
identity”)
[ examples: x + y + 0 = x + y, 5·1=5]

THE INVERSE PROPERTY OF ADDITION OR OF MULTIPLICATION:

For addition: Adding a number to its opposite gives 0. [example: 2 + (–2) = 0]
For multiplication: Multiplying a number by its reciprocal gives 1. [ 3 · ⅓ = 1, (–3) ·
(–⅓) = 1 ]
 Name: _____________
Date ______ Per. __
Tell which property is being used:

a) 7 + a = a + 7
b) 7 + 0 = 7
c) 7 • 1 = 1
7
d) – 2 + 2 = 0
3 3
e) 3 • 2 = 1
2 3
f) 7 + (3 + 5) = (7 + 3) + 5
g) (3x)y = 3(xy)
h) – 2 + 0 = – 2
3 3
i) x + 4 = 4 + x
j) x(y + 2) = xy + 2x
k) 3(4 + 5) = 3 · 4 + 3 · 5
l) 3(a + 0) = 3a
m) (–7) + 7 = 0
n) –7(x + y) = (–7x) + (–7y)
o) 1 • 6 = 1
6
p) xy = yx
q) (7x)y = 7(xy)
r) a + (2 + c) = (a + 2) + c
s) (7x) + (–7x) = 0
t) x + (y + 3) = (y + 3) + x
u) x + (–x) + y = y
(two properties!)