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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Algebra Period 3 (Wednesday)

Number properties and Proofs 2-10
MORE NEW FRIENDS! (PROPERTIES)
There are 2 types of Properties: Axioms and Theorems
Axioms = properties we accept as obvious and so we don't need to prove them
Theorems = properties that need to be proved USING THE AXIOMS WE ACCEPT AS FACT!

EXAMPLES OF AXIOMS:
Commutative, Associative, Identity, Distributive, Additive Inverse, Multiplicative Inverse

EXAMPLE OF A THEOREM:
Distributive Property in REVERSE (a + b)c = ac + bc


PROPERTIES OF EQUALITY
(these are AXIOMS)
” Prop = “
REFLEXIVE:
a = a
3 = 3
In words: It looks exactly the same on both sides! (like reflecting in a mirror)
This seems ridiculous, but in Geometry it's used all the time.


SYMMETRIC:
a = b then b = a
3 + 5 = 8 then 8 = 3 + 5
In words: You can switch the sides of an equation.
We use this all the time to switch the sides if the variable ends up on the right side:
12 = 5y -3
The Symmetric property allows us to switch sides:
5y - 3 = 12

TRANSITIVE:
a = b and b = c then a = c
3 + 5 = 8, and 2 + 6 = 8 then 3 + 5 = 2 + 6
In words: If 2 things both equal a third thing, then we can just say that the first 2 things are equal.

I've got a pattern that will help you recognize the difference between these 3 properties specifically.
The Reflexive Property only has ONE equation
The Symmetric Property only has TWO equations
The Transitive Property only has THREE equations

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