Property of Multiplication by 0

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹɑp.ər.ti ʌv ˌmʌl.tɪ.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən baɪ ˈzɪər.oʊ/ Explain

The property of multiplying by 0 for real numbers states that anything multiplied by 0 is always 0. This is stated mathematically as a·0 = 0. Sometimes this is called the multiplicative property of 0.

Figure 1: Property of multiplying by 0.

Another way to think of the property of multiplying by zero is to assume, for example, one is starting with three groups of two objects. How many objects will one have if one takes zero of the groups? One will have zero objects. So 0·2=0.

References

1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, property of multiplication by 0. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 146. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book
2. Bettinger, Alvin K. and Englund, John A.. Algebra and Trigonometry. pg 5. www.archive.org. International Textbook Company. January 1963. Last Accessed 12/3/2018. http://www.archive.org/stream/algebraandtrigon033520mbp#page/n18/mode/1up. Buy the book

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Property of Multiplication by 0. 12/21/2018. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/p/propmult0.html.

Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem LLC and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Revision History

12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
12/1/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup. (McAdams, David E.)
12/31/2008: Added figure and concrete example. (McAdams, David E.)
7/12/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)