Multiplication by Zero

Zero is the easiest number to multiply by because the answer is always zero. Read this text to see how this fact is written formally. Complete the practice questions and check your answers.

Use the Properties of Zero

We have already learned that zero is the additive identity, since it can be added to any number without changing the number's identity. But zero also has some special properties when it comes to multiplication and division.

Multiplication by Zero

What happens when you multiply a number by $0$ ? Multiplying by $0$ makes the product equal zero. The product of any real number and $0$ is $0$ .

Multiplication by Zero

For any real number $a$ ,

$a \cdot 0 = 0$ $0 \cdot a = 0$

Source: Rice University, https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra/pages/7-4-properties-of-identity-inverses-and-zero
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