Starting Algebraic Proofs 2 Column

Algebraic Properties and Proofs Name __________________________
You have solved algebraic equations for a couple years now, but now it is time to
justify the steps you have practiced and now take without thinking and acting without
thinking is a dangerous habit!
The following is a list of the reasons one can give for each algebraic step one may
take.

ALGEBRAIC PROPERTIES OF EQUALITY
ADDITION PROPERTY OF EQUALITY If a = b, then a + c = b + c
SUBTRACTION PROPERTY OF
EQUALITY
If a = b, then a c = b c
MULTIPLICATION PROPERTY OF
EQUALITY
If a = b, then a c = b c
DIVISION PROPERTY OF EQUALITY
If a = b, then
a
c
=
b
c

DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY OF
MULTIPLICATION OVER ADDITION or
OVER SUBTRACTION
a(b + c) = ab + ac

a(b c) = ab ac
SUBSTITUTION PROPERTY OF
EQUALITY
If a = b, then b can be substituted for
a in any equation or expression
REFLEXIVE PROPERTY OF EQUALITY For any real number a, a = a
SYMMETRIC PROPERTY OF
EQUALITY
If a = b, then b = a
TRANSITIVE PROPERTY OF
EQUALITY
If a = b and b = c, then a = c

Complete the following algebraic proofs using the reasons above. If a step requires
simplification by combining like terms, write simplify.

Given: 3x + 12 = 8x 18
Prove: x = 6

Statements Reasons
1. 3x + 12 = 8x 18 1.
2. 12 = 5x 18 2.
3. 30 = 5x 3.
4. 6 = x 4.
5. x = 6 5.

Given: 3k + 5 = 17
Prove: k = 4

Statements Reasons
1. 3k + 5 = 17 1.
2. 3k = 12 2.
3. k = 4 3.

Given: 6a 5= 95
Prove: a = 15

Statements Reasons

Given: 3(5x + 1) = 13x + 5
Prove: x = 1

Statements Reasons

Given:
7 84 2 61 y y

Prove:
29 y

Statements Reasons

Given:
4(5 7) 3 3(4 9) n n n

Prove:
11 n

Statements Reasons

Given:
4.7 2 0.5 6 1.6 8.3 f f f

Prove:
47
616
y

Statements Reasons

Geometric Properties
We have discussed the RST (Reflexive, Symmetric, and Transitive) properties of
equality. We could prove that these also apply for congruence but we wont. We are just
going to accept it
I know, youre disappointed.

PROPERTIES OF CONGRUENCE
REFLEXIVE PROPERTY OF
CONGRUENCE
For any geometric figure A, A A .
SYMMETRIC PROPERTY OF
CONGRUENCE
If A B , then B A .
TRANSITIVE PROPERTY OF
CONGRUENCE
If A B and B C , then A C

Additional Reasons for Proofs
DEFINITIONS
POSTULATES
PREVIOUSLY PROVED THEOREMS
ALGEBRAIC PROPERTIES

Elementary Geometric Proofs
Using Definitions

Given: XY BC
Prove:
XY BC

Statements Reasons

Given: A Z
Prove:
m A m Z

Statements Reasons

Using the Transitive Property and Substitution

Given:
1 45 ; 2 1 m m m

Prove:
2 45 m

Statements Reasons

You should be aware that there are many ways to complete a proof. In fact, the following
website has 79 distinct proofs for the most famous of all theorems, the Pythagorean
Theorem.

http://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/index.shtml

Even the simple proof above could be done in at least two ways. The last statement could
have been justified using SUBSTITUTION or the TRANSITIVE PROPERTY. These
properties are similar, but no the same:

SUBSTITUTION works only on NUMBERS ( = ), while the TRANSITIVE PROPERTY
can be used to describe relationships between FIGURES or NUMBERS ( = or ). Keep
this in mind.

Given:
1 2 ; 1 3

Prove:
2 3

Statements Reasons

Using Multiple Reasons

Given:
90 ; m A A Z

Prove:
is a right angle Z

Statements Reasons

Given:
1 90 ; 1 2; 2 3 m

Prove:
3 is a right angle

Statements Reasons

Given:
180 ; ; m O m P m S O P

Prove:
is a straight angle S

Statements Reasons

DEFINITIONS AND POSTULATES REGARDING SEGMENTS
SEGMENT ADDITION POSTULATE If C is between A and B,
then AC + CB = AB
DEFINITION OF SEGMENT
CONGRUENCE
If AB CD , then AB = CD
DEFINITION OF A SEGMENT
BISECTOR
A geometric figure that divides a
segment in to two congruent halves
DEFINITION OF A MIDPOINT A point that bisects a segment
DEFINITIONS AND POSTULATES REGARDING ANGLES
ANGLE ADDITION POSTULATE If C is on the interior of ABD,
then m ABC m CBD m ABD
DEFINITION OF ANGLE
CONGRUENCE
If A B , then m A m B
DEFINITION OF AN ANGLE BISECTOR A geometric figure that divides a
angle in to two congruent halves

Proofs with Pictures

It is often much easier to plan and finish a proof if there is a visual aid. Use the
picture to help you plan and finish the proof. Be sure that as you write each statement, you
make the picture match your proof by inserting marks, measures, etc.
Given:
is the midpoint
of AC and BD ; ED
E
EC

Prove: AE BE

Statements Reasons

A
C
D
E
B

Given:
bisects ;
bisects ;
OB AOC
OE DOF
AOB DOE

Prove:
EOF BOC

Statements Reasons

Elementary Geometric Proofs
Segments

Given: RT WY ; ST WX
Prove: RS XY

Statements Reasons

R S
X
T
W Y
Given: O is the midpoint of NW ;
NO OC

Prove:
OC OW

Statements Reasons
1. O is the midpoint of NW
1.
2.
NO OW

2.
3. 3. Given
4.
OC OW

4.

Given:
EF GH
E F G H
Prove:
EG FH

Statements Reasons
1.
EF GH

1.
2. EF = GH 2.
3. EF + FG = GH + FG 3.
4. EF + FG = EG;
GH + FG = FH
4.
5. EG = FH 5.
6.
EG FH

6.

Flow Proofs
Proofs do not always come in two-column format. Sometimes they are more visual, as you
will see in this example.
Flow Proof
Given: 2 5 4 x
Prove:
4
3
x

H
N
W
C
O
2 5 4 x

3 4 x
4
3
x
3 4 x

Given
Add. Prop.
of Equality
Div. Prop.
of Equality
Complete the flow chart for the following proof.

Given: AC = CE; AB = DE
Prove: C is the midpoint of BD

Given
Segment Addition
Postulate
Substitution
Given
Subtraction Property
of Equality
Definition of
Congruence
Definition of
Midpoint
A D C E B

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Algebraic Properties and Proofs Name __________________________

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