This Topic introduces the benefits of understanding and using the various properties of the Fourier transform, including simplifying the analysis of signals, as well as conceptual insights that can help give a deeper understanding of the theory. This, and the next few videos, cover a number of properties of the Fourier transform. This Topic focuses on some elemental properties, such as the conjugation property of the continuous-time Fourier transform (CTFT), and conjugate symmetry for real signals. The topic next considers linearity of the Fourier transform, and then the important property of time-frequency duality.