At the beginning of this section we will list and briefly discuss some of the basic

properties
of real numbers. Be sure that you understand these properties, for they not only
facilitate
manipulations with real numbers but also serve as the basis for many algebraic
computations.
Answers to the Concept Quiz
1. True 2. False 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. True 7. False 8. False 9. False 10.
True
1.3 � Properties of Real Numbers and the Use of Exponents 21
We say that the set of real numbers is closed with respect to addition and also
with
respect to multiplication. That is, the sum of two real numbers is a unique real
number, and
the product of two real numbers is a unique real number. We use the word �unique�
to indicate �exactly one.�
Commutative Property of Addition
If a and b are real numbers, then
a b # b a
Commutative Property of Multiplication
If a and b are real numbers, then
ab # ba
Associative Property of Multiplication
If a, b, and c are real numbers, then
(ab)c # a(bc)
Identity Property of Addition
If a is any real number, then
a 0 # 0 a # a
We say that addition and multiplication are commutative operations. This means that
the
order in which we add or multiply two numbers does not affect the result. For
example,
6 (8) # (8) 6 and (4)(3) # (3)(4). It is important to realize that subtraction
and division are not commutative operations; order does make a difference. For
example,
3 4 # 1 but 4 3 # 1. Likewise, 2 # 1 # 2 but 1 # 2 # .
1
2
Addition and multiplication are binary operations. That is, we add (or multiply)
two
numbers at a time. The associative properties apply if more than two numbers are to
be added
or multiplied; they are grouping properties. For example, (8 9) 6 # 8 (9 6);
changing the grouping of the numbers does not affect the final sum. This is also
true for multiplication, which is illustrated by [(4)(3)](2) # (4)[(3)(2)].
Subtraction and division
are not associative operations. For example, (8 6) 10 # 8, but 8 (6 10) # 12.
An
example showing that division is not associative is (8 # 4) # 2 # 1, but 8 # (4 #
2) # 4.
Zero is called the identity element for addition. This means that the sum of any
real number and zero is the same real number. For example, 87 0 # 0 (87) # 87.
Associative Property of Addition
If a, b, and c are real numbers, then
(a b) c # a (b c)
22 Chapter 1 � Basic Concepts and Properties
Identity Property of Multiplication
If a is any real number, then
a(1) # 1(a) # a
Additive Inverse Property
For every real number a, there exists a unique real number a such that
a (a) # a a # 0
We call 1 the identity element for multiplication. The product of any real number
and 1
is the same real number. For example, (119)(1) # (1)(119) # 119.
Multiplication Property of Zero
If a is any real number, then
(a)(0) # (0)(a) # 0
The real number a is called the additive inverse of a or the opposite of a. For
example,
16 and 16 are additive inverses, and their sum is 0. The additive inverse of 0 is
0.
Multiplication Property of Negative One
If a is any real number, then
(a)(1) # (1)(a) # a
The product of any real number and zero is zero. For example, (17)(0) # 0(17) # 0.
Multiplicative Inverse Property
For every nonzero real number a, there exists a unique real number such that
a # (a) # 1
1
a a
1
a
b
1
a
The product of any real number and 1 is the opposite of the real number. For
example,
(1)(52) # (52)(1) # 52.
The number is called the multiplicative inverse of a or the reciprocal of a. For
example,
the reciprocal of 2 is and Likewise, the reciprocal of
Therefore, 2 and are said to be reciprocals (or multiplicative inverses) of each
other. Because
division by zero is undefined, zero does not have a reciprocal.