Essential Ideas for Section 1.2

Order of Operations

The order of operations in this section permeates almost all types of mathematical calculations. You should remember these steps:
First, perform any operations enclosed in parentheses.
Next, perform multiplication and divisions as they occur by working from left to right.
Finally, perform additions and subtractions as they occur by working from left to right.

Inductive Reasoning

The type of reasoning in which you first observe a pattern, and then predict outcomes for future occurrences.

Deductive Reasoning

The type of reasoning involves reaching a conclusion by using a formal structure based on a set of undefined terms and a set of accepted unproved axioms or premises.

Substitution Property

If a = b then a may be substituted for b in any mathematical statement without affecting the truth or falsity of the given mathematical statement.