Commutativity

In algebra, commutativity is a property of binary operations or of operators on a set. If $\star$ is a binary operation then the commutative property is the condition that

$x\star y=y\star x\,$

for all x and y.

Examples of commutative operations are addition and multiplication of integers, rational numbers, real and complex numbers. In this context commutativity is often referred to as the commutative law.

See also

• Commutator