Property of Multiplication by 1

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

The property of multiplying by 1 states that anything multiplied by 1 is unchanged. This is stated mathematically as a · 1 = a where a is an arbitrary number. This property can also be called the multiplicative property of 1.

Figure 1: Property of multiplying by 1.

Another way to think of the property of multiplying by one is to assume, for example, one is starting with three groups of two objects. How many objects will one have if one takes one of the groups? One will have two objects. So 1 · 2 = 2.

References

1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, property of multiplication by 1. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 146. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Property of Multiplication by 1. 4/21/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/p/propmult1.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 1 and concrete example. (McAdams, David E.)
7/12/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)