Numbers and Properties

NUMBERS AND PROPERTIES
Natural Numbers (N) : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …… ∞

Whole Numbers (W) : 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …… ∞
Integers (Z) : ∞ …… -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …… ∞
Rational Numbers (Q) : -∞ …… -3, -2.5, -2, -1.5, -1, -0.5, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, …… ∞
Number properties lay down some rules that we can follow while performing
mathematical operations. Number properties are only associated with algebraic
operations that are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. However, some of
these properties are not applicable to subtraction and division operations.
Closure Property:
TheClosure Property states that when a set of numbers is closed under any arithmetic
operation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and is performed on
any two numbers of the set with the answer being another number from the set itself.
Commutative Property:
The word 'commutative' originates from the word 'commute', which means “to move
around” or “to travel back and forth”. Hence, the commutative property deals with
moving the numbers around/back and forth. The commutative property states that
changing the order of addends or factors does not change the sum or the product.
Let’s see how this is applicable to the numbers in an expression.
Consider the expression 3 + 5.
We know that 3 + 5 = 8. But 5 + 3 is also equal to 8. So, 3 + 5 = 5 + 3
When two numbers are added together, the sum remains the same even if we change
the order in which the addition operation is performed. That means the expression
gives us the same result even if the position of the numbers change. This is known as
the commutative property of addition.
Just like we saw in addition, the Commutative Property is also applicable to multiplication.
For example: 3×5=15 & 5×3=15.
Associative Property:
According to the Associative property, when 3 or more numbers are added or
multiplied, the result (sum or the product) remains the same even if the numbers are
grouped in a different way. Here, grouping is done with the help of brackets.
This can be expressed as, a × (b × c) = (a × b) × c and a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c.
Let’s see how associative property can be used in addition. Consider the following
equation:
5 + 7 + 6 = 18
Whenever we perform this addition in our mind, we usually add two numbers first and
then add the third number to the sum of the first two numbers. We can perform this
addition in two ways.
5 + (7 + 6) = 5 + 13 = 18 & (5 + 7) + 6 = 12 + 6 = 18
In both cases, the answer remains the same.
So, when three numbers are added, the sum remains the same irrespective of the way
in which they were grouped. This is known as the associative property of addition.
Let’s try out associative property in the case of multiplication.
1×2×3=6
We can perform this multiplication in two ways.
1×(2×3)=6 & (1×2)×3=6
When three or more numbers are multiplied, the product remains the same
irrespective of the way in which the numbers were grouped. This is known as the
associative property of multiplication.
Distributive Property:
The distributive property is also known as the distributive law of multiplication.
This distributive property of multiplication is applicable over addition and subtraction.
The formula for the distributive property is expressed as, a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a ×
c).Similarly,a × (b – c) = (a × b) – (a × c).
Identity Property
Identity property states that when a number is added, subtracted, multiplied or divided
by a specific number, the result will be the same as the original number. Let’s find out
more about the identity property of addition and subtraction and the identity property
of multiplication and division.
Identity property of addition and subtraction
0 is considered as the additive identity in the case of addition and subtraction. When we
add or subtract 0 to any number, we get the same number.
For example, 7 + 0 = 0 & 5–0=5
Identity property of multiplication and division
1 is considered as the multiplicative identity in the case of multiplication. If we multiply
any number by 1, we get the same number.
For example,5×1=5 & 7 × 1 =7
This holds true for division as well. Any number divided by 1 gives the same number.
For example, 5÷1=5.
What is the Additive Inverse?
Additive inverse is what you add to a number to make the sum zero. For example, the
additive inverse of 4 is -4 because their sum is zero. When two numbers are added
together to get 0, then we say both the numbers are additive inverses of each other.
How do you Find the Additive Inverse of a Given Number?

In order to find the additive inverse of a given number, we just change the sign of the
given number to get its additive inverse. For example, the additive inverse of 8 is -8 and
the additive inverse of -35 is 35.
What is the Additive Inverse Formula?

The additive inverse formula is -1 × R, where R is any real number. This formula can be
applied to any number to get its additive inverse. For example, if we need to get the
additive inverse of 7, let us substitute 7 in the formula, -1 × R = -1 × 7 = -7. Therefore,
the additive inverse of 7 is -7.
What is the Additive Inverse of Zero?

Since zero does not have a positive or negative sign associated with it, the additive
inverse of zero is zero.
Is Additive Inverse Same as Additive Identity?

No, additive inverse and the additive identity property are not the same. The additive
inverse of a given number is obtained by just reversing its sign. This means when the
given number and its additive inverse are added we get 0. For example, the additive
inverse of 4 is -4 → ( 4 + (- 4) = 0). Whereas, the additive identity of any given number
is 0, because when we add any number to zero, it results in the number itself. For
example, the additive identity of 4 is 0 → (4 + 0 = 4).
What is the Difference between Additive Inverse and Multiplicative Inverse?

Additive inverse is what we add to a number to make the sum zero, whereas, the
multiplicative inverse is the reciprocal of the given number, which when multiplied
together, gives the product as 1.
Does 0 have an Additive Inverse?

Yes, since zero does not have a positive or negative sign associated with it, the additive
inverse of 0 is 0.
Natural Numbers (N):
Operation Closure Property Commutative Property Associative Property
Addition (+)   
Subtraction (–)   
Multiplication (x)   
Division (÷)   
Distributive Property
 Multiplication of natural numbers is always distributive over addition.
For example, a × (b + c) = ab + ac
 Multiplication of natural numbers is also distributive over subtraction.
For example, a × (b – c) = ab – ac
Rational Numbers (Q):

Operation Closure Property Commutative Property Associative Property
Addition (+)   
Subtraction (–)   
Multiplication (x)   
Division (÷)   
Distributive Property
 Multiplication of natural numbers is always distributive over addition.
For example, a × (b + c) = ab + ac
 Multiplication of natural numbers is also distributive over subtraction.
For example, a × (b – c) = ab – ac
Solved Number Properties Examples
Example 1: Use the distributive property to solve 8×24.

Solution:
8×24=8×(20+4) Write 24 as a sum of two numbers
=(8×20)+(8×4) Distributive property
=160+32 Multiply
=192 Add
Example 2: Complete the following equations and identify the property used in each case.
a. 12×5=____×12
b. 15+12+9=____+15+9
Solution:
a. We have to find the missing number in the equation.
According to the commutative property of multiplication,
12×5=5×12
So, the missing number is 5.
b. Both sides of the equation are equal. We have 15 and 9 on both sides of the equation.
We have 12 only on the left-hand side of the equation. So, the missing value is 12.
15 + 12 + 9 = 12 + 15 + 9
We used the commutative property of addition to find the missing term in this
equation.
Example 3: Complete the equations and identify the property being used.
a. 1×____=115
b. 213+____=213
Solution:
a. In this example, we are multiplying an unknown number with 1 to get 115. But we
know that any number multiplied by 1 gives us the same number. Hence, the number
that is missing in the equation is also 115.
We used the identity property of multiplication to complete this equation.
b. In this case, we are adding an unknown number to 213 to get 213. We must be adding
0 to 213 on the left-hand side. According to the identity property of addition, when we
add 0 to a number, we get the same number as the result.
Example 4: Solve the following equation using a number property.
113 + 4 + 27 = ?
Solution:We can group 113 and 27 because it adds up to give 140. This makes the
addition much easier.
113 + 4 + 27 = 113 + 27 + 4 Using the commutative property to swap position of
numbers.
(113 + 27) + 4 = 140 + 4 = 144 Using the associative property of addition to group
numbers conveniently.
Frequently Asked Questions on Number Properties
Why do we use number properties?
Number properties help us solve equations containing math operations easily. Number
properties reduce the number of steps involved in the solution and make it easy to
understand.
Are number properties applicable to subtraction and division?

All number properties are not applicable to subtraction and division. For example,
commutative and associative properties are not applicable to subtraction and division.
Only the distributive property and identity property are applicable to subtraction and
division.

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NUMBERS AND PROPERTIES

Natural Numbers (N) : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …… ∞

How do you Find the Additive Inverse of a Given Number?

What is the Additive Inverse Formula?

What is the Additive Inverse of Zero?

Is Additive Inverse Same as Additive Identity?

What is the Difference between Additive Inverse and Multiplicative Inverse?

Does 0 have an Additive Inverse?

Rational Numbers (Q):

Example 1: Use the distributive property to solve 8×24.

Are number properties applicable to subtraction and division?

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