Properties of Equality
The properties of equality are the rules that let us manipulate equations while keeping them balanced. The addition property says if a = b, then a + c = b + c, while the subtraction property works similarly for taking away values.
For multiplication and division, we can multiply or divide both sides by the same number (except dividing by zero isn't allowed). The distributive property a(b+c)=ab+ac helps expand expressions.
Other key properties include the substitution property (replacing equal values), reflexive property a=a, symmetric property ifa=b,thenb=a, and transitive property ifa=bandb=c,thena=c.
Pro Tip: These properties might seem obvious, but naming them in proofs shows you understand exactly why each step is mathematically valid.