Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

What does the Additive Identity Property state?

1. Adding zero to a number does not change its value

2. Adding a number to its inverse equals one

3. Adding two numbers will always equal zero

4. Adding one to a number will change its value

The correct answer is: Adding zero to a number does not change its value

The Additive Identity Property states that when you add zero to any number, the value of that number remains unchanged. This means that for any number \( x \), the equation \( x + 0 = x \) holds true. This property is fundamental in mathematics as it highlights the role of zero in addition; while zero is a number, it does not affect the quantity when added to another number. For example, if you take the number 5 and add zero to it, you still have 5: \( 5 + 0 = 5 \). This property is essential for understanding how numbers interact under addition and forms a foundational aspect of arithmetic operations. The other options describe different mathematical concepts but do not accurately represent the Additive Identity Property. Option B refers to the relationship between a number and its additive inverse, which results in zero, not one. Option C inaccurately suggests that adding two numbers will always yield zero, which is not true in general. Option D contradicts the property by suggesting that adding one to a number will always change its value, which does not apply here since the Additive Identity specifically pertains to the addition of zero.