Practice30Create account

Kabir says, 'Zero is the identity for both addition and multiplication, because it never changes anything.' Which calculation shows that he is wrong?

Class 6Whole NumbersWhole Numbers
  • A0 + 76 = 76
  • B
  • C76 - 0 = 76
  • D

Step-by-Step Solution

An identity must leave the number unchanged. Since and not 76, zero is NOT the multiplicative identity; 1 is. The first option shows 0 working correctly as the ADDITIVE identity, so it agrees with Kabir rather than contradicting him.
Answer: B)

Key idea: Properties of whole-number addition and multiplication

**Commutative**: a + b = b + a, and a × b = b × a. Order does not matter for addition or multiplication.

**Associative**: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c), and (a × b) × c = a × (b × c). Grouping does not matter.

**Distributive**: a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c. Multiplication 'distributes over' addition. This is one of the most useful rules in all of maths.

**Identity**: a + 0 = a (zero is the additive identity), and a × 1 = a (one is the multiplicative identity).

**Multiplying by zero**: a × 0 = 0 for every whole number a.

Master this chapter in 30 minutes a day.

Don't just memorise the answer — build a daily practice habit.

Practice 5 Similar Questions Free →

All Whole Numbers practice questions

More Class 6 Whole Numbers practice

A whole number is multiplied by 0, and then 1 is added to the product. If the number was…Which statement pairs each identity with the right operation?Which whole number can fill BOTH blanks so that the two sentences are true at the same…Sonal writes 15 ÷ 0 = 0 in her notebook. Why is this wrong?Which of these expressions has a value, and what is that value?