Which property ensures that any number added to zero equals the original number?

The identity property is the principle responsible for affirming that any number added to zero equals the original number. This property states that there exists an identity element in addition, which is zero, that leaves any number unchanged when added to it. In mathematical terms, for any number (a), the equation (a + 0 = a) holds true, demonstrating that the original number remains unaffected by the addition of zero.

This property is crucial in mathematics because it highlights the importance of the number zero as an additive identity. It is foundational in understanding addition and lays the groundwork for various algebraic operations.