FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

Which property states that adding zero to a number will not change its value?

1. Identity

2. Associative

3. Inverse

4. Distributive

The correct answer is: Identity

The property that states that adding zero to a number will not change its value is the Identity property of addition. This property can be expressed mathematically as: for any number \(a\), the equation \(a + 0 = a\) holds true. Essentially, zero is referred to as the identity element for addition because it preserves the original value of a number when added. This principle is foundational in mathematics as it demonstrates how certain operations interact with identity elements and informs how we approach solving equations and simplifying expressions. Understanding this property can help in recognizing how operations work, particularly when working with basic algebra and arithmetic. The Associative property, on the other hand, involves how numbers are grouped in addition or multiplication, without affecting the total. The Inverse property relates to numbers being added or multiplied by their opposite, resulting in zero or one, respectively. The Distributive property combines addition and multiplication, showing how to distribute one operation over another within parentheses. Each of these properties has distinct roles in mathematical operations but does not specifically address the impact of adding zero to a number as the Identity property does.