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I need help with this problem, I don’t understand any of this

I need help with this problem, I don’t understand any of this-example-1

1 Answer

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Answer:

  • distributive property
  • addition (subtraction) property of equality
  • additive identity element (properties of real numbers)
  • division property of equality
  • multiplicative identity element (properties of real numbers)

Explanation:

A lot of math is about identifying and matching patterns. Often, the patterns have an associated vocabulary. It helps to learn the patterns and the associated words.

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Pattern: a(b +c) ⇔ ab +ac . . . description: distributive property

Pattern: a = b ⇒ a +c = b +c . . . description: addition property of equality

Pattern: a = b ⇒ a/c = b/c . . . description: division property of equality

Patterns: a -a = 0; a + 0 = a . . . description: properties of the additive inverse and the additive identity element

Patterns: a×(1/a) = 1; a×1 = a . . . description: properties of the multiplicative inverse and the multiplicative identity element

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When parentheses come or go, the distributive property is usually involved. In the second line, you need to recognize that -2(3y) = -6y and that -2(-7) = +14. The result on the left is from applying the distributive property to remove parentheses.

The third line differs from the second line in that -14 shows up on both sides of the equal sign. This is a clue that the addition (or subtraction) property of equality is involved.

The fourth line differs from the third in that +14-14 disappeared from the left side, and -4-14 was replaced with -18 on the right side. The sum of a number and its opposite is zero, a property of the additive inverse. The fact that -4-14 = -18 is a property of real numbers. (You have to decide the best drop-down choice for that line.)

The fifth line shows both sides of the equation divided by -6. The multiplication (division) property of equality lets you do that.

The last line shows a simplification of the previous one. Again, the properties of real numbers and of the multiplicative inverse are involved. (You have to decide the best drop-down choice for that line.)

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