There are four Properties of Equality: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. They each state that if we manipulate both sides of an equation in the same way, a true, equivalent equation is created. See the table below for an example of each property.
Property of Equality
Original Equation
Manipulated Equation
Resultant Equation
Addition
x=2
x +4=2 +4
x+4=6
Subtraction
x=2
x -4=2 -4
x-4=- 2
Multiplication
x=2
x * 4=2 * 4
4x=8
Division
x=2
x/4=2/4
x/4=2/4
Because both sides of the equation were manipulated in the same way in each of the cases above, the resultant equations are equivalent to the originals.
