Equality in Mathematics

Equality in mathematics refers to the concept of two quantities or expressions having the same value. It is denoted by the equal sign (=).

Types of Equality

There are different types of equality in mathematics:

1. Numerical Equality: This type of equality involves comparing two numbers or quantities to determine if they are the same.
2. Equation Equality: In this type of equality, mathematical expressions are set equal to each other, and the goal is to find the value of the variable that makes the equation true.
3. Inequality: Inequalities express that two values are not equal. They are denoted by symbols such as < (less than), > (greater than), ≤ (less than or equal to), or ≥ (greater than or equal to).

Properties of Equality

When working with equations and inequalities, it's important to keep in mind the properties of equality:

• Reflexive Property: For any real number a, a = a.
• Symmetric Property: If a = b, then b = a.
• Transitive Property: If a = b and b = c, then a = c.
• Addition Property of Equality: If a = b, then a + c = b + c.
• Subtraction Property of Equality: If a = b, then a - c = b - c.
• Multiplication Property of Equality: If a = b, then a * c = b * c (where c is a non-zero number).
• Division Property of Equality: If a = b, then a / c = b / c (where c is a non-zero number).

Study Guide

When studying equality in mathematics, it's important to practice solving equations and inequalities. Here are some key steps to follow:

1. Identify the type of equality being used in a given problem (numerical equality, equation equality, or inequality).
2. Apply the properties of equality to manipulate equations and inequalities.
3. Solve for the unknown variable in an equation by performing inverse operations.
4. Check your solution by substituting the value back into the original equation or inequality.
5. Practice solving a variety of equations and inequalities to reinforce your understanding of equality in mathematics.

Remember to always show your work and explain each step when solving problems involving equality.

By mastering the concept of equality, you will be well-prepared to tackle more advanced topics in algebra and beyond.

[Equality] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Equations and inequalitiesMathematics • Eighth Grade
• Solving equations and inequalitiesMathematics • Eighth Grade