d. Inverse Properties.
a + (-a) = 0
For each nonzero real number a,
there is a unique real number 1/a
such that:
1
a X -- =1
a
Examples:
3 + (-3) = 0
1
12 X -- = 1
12
e. Distributive Property.
a (b + c) = ab + ac
Example: 2(3 + 2) = (2 X 3) + (2 X 2)
1-3.
DEFINITIONS OF SUBTRACTION AND DIVISION
a. Subtraction is a special case of addition.
a - b = a + (-b)
Example: 5 - 2 = 5 + (-2)
a
1
-- = a X -- provided that b is not equal to 0
b
b
Example: 6
1
-- = 6 X --.
3
3
NOTE:
Division by 0 is undefined, because any real number divided by 0 has no
solution.
MD0837
1-3