1.2.1.

Fundamentals of Algebra
Basic Axioms of Algebra
Let a, b, and c be any real number
Closure Axiom for addition a + b = c
Closure Axiom for multiplication ab = c

Basic Law of Natural Numbers

Let a, b, and c be any real number
Commutative a+b = b + a
Associative law for addition a + (b +c ) = (a + b) + c
Commutative law of multiplication a x b = b x a
Associative law for multiplication a (bc) = (ab) c
Distributive law a( b+c) = ab + ac

Basic Property of Algebra

Let a be any number
Additive identity a + 0 = a
Additive inverse property a+ ( -a) = 0
Multiplicative identity property a x 1 = a
Multiplicative inverse property a (1/a) = 1 where a ≠ 0

Basic Law of Equality

Let a, b, and c be any real number

Reflexive property a + b = b + a

Symmetric property a+ (b +c ) = (a +b ) + c

Transitive Property a x b = b x a

If a = b and c = d , then a + c = b + d

If a = b and c = d , then ac = bd

Inequality is a statement that one quantity is greater than or less than the other
quantity
Symbols used in Inequality
 > is greater than
< is less than
≥ is greater than or equal to
≤ is less than or equal to
Theorems on Inequality

a > b if and only if – a < −b

if a > 0, then –a < 0
if – a < 0, then a > 0
if a > b and c < 0, then ac < bc if a > b and c <0, then ac < bc 
if a > b and c < d, then (a+c) > (b+d)
if a > b, c > d, and (a,b,c,d) >0 ,then ac > bd
if a > 0 , b > 0 , and a > b, then ( 1/a) > ( 1/b)

Effects of Zero and Negative

Let a≠0

a×0=0 −1(−a) =a
0/a = 0 - 1 ( a +b) = - a – b

a/0 = undefined - 1 (a – b ) = a + b

a / ∞=0 a(−b) = (−a)(b)=−(ab)

-1 ( a) = - a (-a) (-b) = ab