What is the "zero property" of multiplication?

The zero property of multiplication states that if a times b equals zero, then either a or b (or both) must equal zero. It is also called the zero product property.

Multiplying any number by zero gives a product of zero. Therefore, if the product of two numbers is zero, one or both of those numbers must be zero. This property may seem self-evident, but it can be very useful for many mathematical processes, such as solving quadratic equations. It is important to note that the reverse process, dividing by zero, is not possible in normal mathematics. This why the denominator of a fraction can never equal zero.