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As we can see, neither subtraction nor division is associative.

Distributive property

The distributive property    states that the product of a factor times a sum is the sum of the factor times each term in the sum.

a ( b + c ) = a b + a c

This property combines both addition and multiplication (and is the only property to do so). Let us consider an example.

The number four is separated by a multiplication symbol from a bracketed expression reading: twelve plus negative seven. Arrows extend from the four pointing to the twelve and negative seven separately. This expression equals four times twelve plus four times negative seven. Under this line the expression reads forty eight plus negative twenty eight. Under this line the expression reads twenty as the answer.

Note that 4 is outside the grouping symbols, so we distribute the 4 by multiplying it by 12, multiplying it by –7, and adding the products.

To be more precise when describing this property, we say that multiplication distributes over addition. The reverse is not true, as we can see in this example.

6 + ( 3 5 ) = ? ( 6 + 3 ) ( 6 + 5 ) 6 + ( 15 ) = ? ( 9 ) ( 11 ) 21   99

Multiplication does not distribute over subtraction, and division distributes over neither addition nor subtraction.

A special case of the distributive property occurs when a sum of terms is subtracted.

a b = a + ( b )

For example, consider the difference 12 ( 5 + 3 ) . We can rewrite the difference of the two terms 12 and ( 5 + 3 ) by turning the subtraction expression into addition of the opposite. So instead of subtracting ( 5 + 3 ) , we add the opposite.

12 + ( −1 ) ( 5 + 3 )

Now, distribute −1 and simplify the result.

12 ( 5 + 3 ) = 12 + ( −1 ) ( 5 + 3 ) = 12 + [ ( −1 ) 5 + ( −1 ) 3 ] = 12 + ( −8 ) = 4

This seems like a lot of trouble for a simple sum, but it illustrates a powerful result that will be useful once we introduce algebraic terms. To subtract a sum of terms, change the sign of each term and add the results. With this in mind, we can rewrite the last example.

12 ( 5 + 3 ) = 12 + ( −5 3 ) = 12 + ( −8 ) = 4

Identity properties

The identity property of addition    states that there is a unique number, called the additive identity (0) that, when added to a number, results in the original number.

a + 0 = a

The identity property of multiplication    states that there is a unique number, called the multiplicative identity (1) that, when multiplied by a number, results in the original number.

a 1 = a

For example, we have ( −6 ) + 0 = −6 and 23 1 = 23. There are no exceptions for these properties; they work for every real number, including 0 and 1.

Inverse properties

The inverse property of addition    states that, for every real number a , there is a unique number, called the additive inverse (or opposite), denoted− a , that, when added to the original number, results in the additive identity, 0.

a + ( a ) = 0

For example, if a = −8 , the additive inverse is 8, since ( −8 ) + 8 = 0.

The inverse property of multiplication    holds for all real numbers except 0 because the reciprocal of 0 is not defined. The property states that, for every real number a , there is a unique number, called the multiplicative inverse (or reciprocal), denoted 1 a , that, when multiplied by the original number, results in the multiplicative identity, 1.

a 1 a = 1

For example, if a = 2 3 , the reciprocal, denoted 1 a , is 3 2 because

a 1 a = ( 2 3 ) ( 3 2 ) = 1

Properties of real numbers

The following properties hold for real numbers a , b , and c .

Addition Multiplication
Commutative Property a + b = b + a a b = b a
Associative Property a + ( b + c ) = ( a + b ) + c a ( b c ) = ( a b ) c
Distributive Property a ( b + c ) = a b + a c
Identity Property There exists a unique real number called the additive identity, 0, such that, for any real number a
a + 0 = a
There exists a unique real number called the multiplicative identity, 1, such that, for any real number a
a 1 = a
Inverse Property Every real number a has an additive inverse, or opposite, denoted –a , such that
a + ( a ) = 0
Every nonzero real number a has a multiplicative inverse, or reciprocal, denoted 1 a , such that
a ( 1 a ) = 1

Questions & Answers

A golfer on a fairway is 70 m away from the green, which sits below the level of the fairway by 20 m. If the golfer hits the ball at an angle of 40° with an initial speed of 20 m/s, how close to the green does she come?
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2. A sled plus passenger with total mass 50 kg is pulled 20 m across the snow (0.20) at constant velocity by a force directed 25° above the horizontal. Calculate (a) the work of the applied force, (b) the work of friction, and (c) the total work.
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Nevermind i just realied that the graph is the phons output for a person with normal hearing and not just the phons output of the sound waves power, I should read the entire thing next time
Joseph
Follow up question, does anyone know where I can find a graph that accuretly depicts the actual relative "power" output of sound over its frequency instead of just humans hearing
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"Generation of electrical energy from sound energy | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore" ***ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7150687?reload=true
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A string is 3.00 m long with a mass of 5.00 g. The string is held taut with a tension of 500.00 N applied to the string. A pulse is sent down the string. How long does it take the pulse to travel the 3.00 m of the string?
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Source:  OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
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