The real numbers are governed by a collection of rules that have to do with addition, multiplication, and inequalities. In the rules below, x, y, z 2 R. (In other words, x, y, and z are real numbers.) Rules of addition. • (x + y) + z = x + (y + z) (Law of associativity) • x + y = y + x (Law of commutativity) • x + 0 = x (Law of identity) • x + x = 0 (Law of inverses) Rules of multiplication. • ...