The equation "487 = 1 × 487" illustrates a basic principle of multiplication in mathematics. It shows that when any number is multiplied by 1, the result is the number itself. In this case, multiplying 1 by 487 confirms that 487 remains unchanged. This property is known as the multiplicative identity, which states that 1 is the identity element for multiplication. This means that 1 does not alter the value of any number it multiplies, making it a fundamental concept in arithmetic and algebra.