Chapter 3

Incorporating Algebraic Properties

IN THIS CHAPTER

Bullet Embracing the different types of grouping symbols

Bullet Distributing over addition and subtraction

Bullet Incorporating inverses and identities

Bullet Utilizing the associative and commutative rules

Algebra has rules for everything, including a sort of shorthand notation to save time and space. The notation that comes with any particular property cuts down on misinterpretation because it’s very specific and universally known. (I give the guidelines for doing operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in Chapter 2.) In this chapter, you see the specific rules that apply when you use grouping symbols and rearrange terms. You also find how opposites attract — or not — in the form of inverses and identities.

Getting a Grip on Grouping Symbols

The most commonly used grouping symbols in algebra are (in order from most to least common):

  • Parentheses ( )
  • Brackets [ ]
  • Braces { }
  • Fraction lines / or math
  • Radicals
  • Absolute value ...

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