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Chapter 1: Introduction to Algebra

  Distributive Property of Multiplication over addition: For all real numbers a, b, and c, a(b+c)=ab+bc and (b+c)a=ba+ca.

  Closure Properties: For all real numbers a and b, a+b, ab, and a-b are real numbers. If b¹ 0, then a/b is a real number.

  Identity Properties: There are real numbers 0 and 1 such that for each real number a, a+0=0+a=a and 1xa=ax1=a.

  Additive Inverse Property: For all real numbers a, there exists a real number –a such that a+(-a)=0.

  Multiplicative Inverse Property: For each real numbers a, a¹ 0, there exists a real number 1/a such that a(1/a)=1.

    This is all you have to know to get started on algebra. You should memorize these ideas so that you can use them readily later on. Please take a few minutes break and click here to continue to the next chapter. (You can also click on the drop-down list below to jump to any chapter you like.)