One app for all your study abroad needs
The basic idea behind math is addition, which is the process of adding two or more numbers together. But did you know that there are rules we don’t always follow when we add numbers? These rules, known as the properties of addition, ensure consistency and unlock powerful problem-solving techniques. This comprehensive guide will equip you with a deep understanding of these properties of Addition. We’ll explore how the order of adding numbers doesn’t affect the answer (commutative property), how grouping numbers for addition doesn’t change the sum (associative property), and why adding zero leaves a number unchanged (identity property).
We’ll even understand the concept of additive inverses, numbers that “undo” each other when added. By mastering these properties of addition, you’ll not only strengthen your grasp of addition but also gain valuable insights that will empower you to tackle more complex mathematical concepts with confidence.
This guide has everything you need to understand addition, whether you are a student looking for a clear description, a teacher looking for effective teaching tools, or anyone else who wants to improve their math skills.
Table of Contents
Properties of Addition
Here are the four main properties of addition along with examples to illustrate each one.
Commutative Property
This property tells us that the order in which you add numbers doesn’t change the sum. In simpler terms, you can add the numbers around any way you like, and as long as you’re adding the same numbers together, you’ll get the same answer.
| a + b = b + a (where a and b are any numbers) |
Example: 3 + 5 = 8 and 5 + 3 = 8. Here, the order of adding 3 and 5 doesn’t affect the final sum.
Associative Property
This property states that how you group numbers together when adding doesn’t affect the sum. Imagine you have three numbers to add, it doesn’t matter if you add two first and then the third, or add all three together at once, you’ll get the same answer.
| (a + b) + c = a + (b + c) (where a, b, and c are any numbers) |
Example: (2 + 4) + 3 = 6 + 3 = 9 and 2 + (4 + 3) = 2 + 7 = 9. In this example, regardless of whether we add 2 and 4 first or all three numbers together, the sum remains 9.
Distributive Property
The distributive property states that multiplying a sum (or difference) of numbers by a single number is equivalent to multiplying each number in the sum (or difference) by the single number individually, and then adding (or subtracting) the products together.
| a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c) |
where:
- a is any number
- b and c are numbers being added (or subtracted)
This formula applies equally to subtraction:
| a × (b – c) = (a × b) – (a × c) |
Examples:
- 3 × (2 + 5) = (3 × 2) + (3 × 5) = 6 + 15 = 21
- 4 × (7 – 1) = (4 × 7) – (4 × 1) = 28 – 4 = 24
Additive Identity Property
This property introduces the special number 0 (zero). It states that adding zero to any number doesn’t change the value of that number. Zero acts like an identity element in addition.
| a + 0 = a (where a is any number) |
Example: 7 + 0 = 7 and 10 + 0 = 10. Adding zero leaves the numbers 7 and 10 unchanged.
Additive Inverse Property (sometimes called the Property of Inverses)
This property states that for every number, there exists another number, its negative, that when added together equals zero. In other words, each number has an opposite (negative) that “undoes” it when added.
| a + (-a) = 0 (where a is any number) |
Example: 5 + (-5) = 0 and -2 + (2) = 0. Here, 5 and -5 are additive inverses, and 2 and -2 are additive inverses, since adding each pair results in zero.
Also Read: 20+ Questions of Arithmetic Reasoning
10+ Properties of Addition Examples
Here are the 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the properties of addition, along with detailed solutions.
Q1. Which of the following demonstrates the commutative property of addition?
- (5+3)+2=5+(3+2)
- 5+3=3+5
- 5+0=5
- 5+(−5)=0
Answer: B
Solution: The commutative property of addition states that changing the order of the addends does not change the sum. Here, 5+3=3+5.
Q2. If a+b=b+a, which property is being used?
- Associative Property
- Distributive Property
- Identity Property
- Commutative Property
Answer: D
Solution: The commutative property states that the order in which two numbers are added does not change the sum. Thus, a+b=b+a illustrates the commutative property.
Q3. Which of the following demonstrates the associative property of addition?
- (5+3)+2=5+(3+2)
- 5+3=3+5
- 5+0=5
- 5 + (-5) = 0
Answer: A
Solution: The associative property of addition states that the way in which numbers are grouped when adding does not change the sum. Here, (5+3)+2=5+(3+2).
Q4. The expression (2+3)+4=2+(3+4) is an example of which property?
- Commutative Property
- Distributive Property
- Associative Property
- Identity Property
Answer: c
Solution: This is an example of the associative property, which states that the way in which numbers are grouped in an addition problem does not change the sum.
Q5. Which of the following demonstrates the identity property of addition?
- (5+3)+2=5+(3+2)
- 5+3=3+5
- 5+0=5
- 5+(−5)=0
Answer: C
Solution: The identity property of addition states that the sum of any number and 0 is that number. Here, 5+0=5.
Q6. If a+0=a, which property is being used?
- Associative Property
- Commutative Property
- Identity Property
- Distributive Property
Answer: C
Solution: This illustrates the identity property of addition, where adding 0 to a number does not change the value of that number.
Q7. Which of the following demonstrates the additive inverse property?
- (5+3)+2=5+(3+2)
- 5+3=3+5
- 5+0=5
- 5+(−5)=0
Answer: D
Solution: The additive inverse property states that the sum of a number and its opposite (negative) is 0. Here, 5+(−5)=0.
Q8. If a+(−a)=0, which property is being used?
- Commutative Property
- Distributive Property
- Additive Inverse Property
- Identity Property
Answer: C
Solution: This is an example of the additive inverse property, where a number plus its opposite equals zero.
Q9. Which of the following demonstrates the distributive property of addition?
- (5+3)+2=5+(3+2)
- 5+3=3+5
- 5+0=5
- 3×(4+2)=(3×4)+(3×2)
Answer: D
Also Read: Questions of Logical Problems Reasoning
Solution: The distributive property states that multiplying a number by the sum of two others is equal to multiplying the number by each of the others and then adding the products. Here, 3×(4+2)=(3×4)+(3×2).
Q10. The expression a×(b+c)=(a×b)+(a×c) is an example of which property?
- Commutative Property
- Distributive Property
- Associative Property
- Identity Property
Answer: B
Solution: This expression demonstrates the distributive property, which involves the multiplication of a number and the sum of two numbers.
RELATED BLOGS
FAQs
1. Commutative: Order doesn’t matter (a + b = b + a).
2. Associative: Grouping doesn’t matter ((a + b) + c = a + (b + c)).
3. Identity: Adding zero does nothing (a + 0 = a).
4. Inverse: Adding a number’s negative equals zero (a + (-a) = 0).
They help us solve problems faster and form the foundation for more complex math.
Closure Property: Adding numbers in a system stays in that system (e.g., whole numbers stay whole numbers).
Modular Arithmetic: A special system where addition considers remainders after division by a certain number.
This was all about “Properties of Addition”. For more such informative blogs, check out our Study Material Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.