Introduction

Equations are mathematical sentences that state two

expressions are equal. In order to solve equations in
algebra, you must perform operations that maintain
equality on both sides of the equation using the
properties of equality. These properties are rules that
allow you to balance, manipulate, and solve equations.

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts
• In mathematics, it is important to follow the rules when
solving equations, but it is also necessary to justify, or
prove that the steps we are following to solve problems
are correct and allowed.
• The following table summarizes some of these rules.

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
Properties of Equality
Property In symbols In words
Reflexive property
a=a A number is equal to itself.
of equality
Symmetric
If a = b, then If numbers are equal, they will still
property
b = a. be equal if the order is changed.
of equality
Transitive If numbers are equal to the same
If a = b and b = c,
property number, then they are equal to
then a = c.
of equality each other.
Adding the same number to both
Addition property If a = b, then a +
sides of an equation does not
of equality c = b + c.
change the equality of the equation.
3

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
Properties of Equality, continued

Property In symbols In words

Subtracting the same number from
Subtraction If a = b, then
both sides of an equation does not
property of equality a – c = b – c.
change the equality of the equation.
Multiplying both sides of the equation
If a = b and
Multiplication by the same number, other than 0,
c ≠ 0, then
property of equality does not change the equality of the
a • c = b • c.
equation.
Dividing both sides of the equation by
If a = b and
Division property the same number, other than 0, does
c ≠ 0, then
of equality not change the equality of the
a ÷ c = b ÷ c.
equation.
4

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
Properties of Equality, continued

Property In symbols In words

If a = b, then b
may be If two numbers are equal, then
Substitution substituted for substituting one in for another does
property of equality a in any not change the equality of the
expression equation.
containing a.

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
• You may remember from other classes the properties
of operations that explain the effect that the
operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division have on equations. The following table
describes some of those properties.

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
Properties of Operations
Property General rule Specific example
Commutative property of
a+b=b+a 3+8=8+3
addition
Associative property of
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c) (3 + 8) + 2 = 3 + (8 + 2)
addition
Commutative property of
a•b=b•a 3•8=8•3
multiplication
Associative property of
(a • b) • c = a • (b • c) (3 • 8) • 2 = 3 • (8 • 2)
multiplication
Distributive property of
multiplication over a • (b + c) = a • b + a • c 3 • (8 + 2) = 3 • 8 + 3 • 2
addition
7

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
• When we solve an equation, we are rewriting it into a
simpler, equivalent equation that helps us find the
unknown value.
• When solving an equation that contains parentheses,
apply the properties of operations and perform the
operation that’s in the parentheses first.
• The properties of equality, as well as the properties of
operations, not only justify our reasoning, but also
help us to understand our own thinking.

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
• When identifying which step is being used, it helps to
review each step in the sequence and make note of
what operation was performed, and whether it was
done to one side of the equation or both. (What
changed and where?)
• When operations are performed on one side of the
equation, the properties of operations are generally
followed.

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Key Concepts, continued
• When an operation is performed on both sides of the
equation, the properties of equality are generally
followed.
• Once you have noted which steps were taken, match
them to the properties listed in the tables.
• If a step being taken can’t be justified, then the step
shouldn’t be done.

10

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Common Errors/Misconceptions
• incorrectly identifying operations

• incorrectly identifying properties

• performing a step that is not justifiable or does not

follow the properties of equality and/or the properties
of operations

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2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice
Example 1
Which property of equality is missing in the steps
to solve the equation –7x + 22 = 50?
Equation Steps
–7x + 22 = 50 Original equation
–7x = 28
x = –4 Division property of equality

12

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 1, continued
1. Observe the differences between the
original equation and the next equation in
the sequence. What has changed?
Notice that 22 has been taken away from both
expressions, –7x + 22 and 50.

13

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 1, continued
2. Refer to the table of Properties of
Equality.
The subtraction property of equality tells us that
when we subtract a number from both sides of the
equation, the expressions remain equal.

The missing step is “Subtraction property of equality.”

✔ 14

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 1, continued

15

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice
Example 2
Which property of equality is missing in the steps to
x
solve the equation -3 - = 4?
6
Equation Steps
x
-3 - =4 Original equation
6
x
- =7 Addition property of equality
6
–x = 42
x = –42 Division property of equality
16

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 2, continued
1. Observe the differences between the
original equation and the next equation in
the sequence. What has changed?

Notice that 3 has been added to both expressions,

x x
-3 - and 4. The result of this step is - = 7.
6 6

17

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 2, continued
In order to move to the next step, the division of 6
has been undone.

The inverse operation of the division of 6 is the

multiplication of 6.

x
The result of multiplying - by 6 is –x and the result
6
of multiplying 7 by 6 is 42. This matches the next
step in the sequence.
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2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 2, continued
2. Refer to the table of Properties of
Equality.
The multiplication property of equality tells us that
when we multiply both sides of the equation by a
number, the expressions remain equal.

The missing step is “Multiplication property of

✔
equality.”

19

2.1.1: Properties of Equality

Guided Practice: Example 2, continued

20

2.1.1: Properties of Equality