Identity element: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>Richard Pinch (→Examples: zero matrix) |
imported>Richard Pinch (subpages) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{subpages}} | |||
In [[algebra]], an '''identity element''' or '''neutral element''' with respect to a [[binary operation]] is an element which leaves the other operand unchanged, generalising the concept of [[zero]] with respect to [[addition]] or [[one]] with respect to [[multiplication]]. | In [[algebra]], an '''identity element''' or '''neutral element''' with respect to a [[binary operation]] is an element which leaves the other operand unchanged, generalising the concept of [[zero]] with respect to [[addition]] or [[one]] with respect to [[multiplication]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 15:33, 8 December 2008
In algebra, an identity element or neutral element with respect to a binary operation is an element which leaves the other operand unchanged, generalising the concept of zero with respect to addition or one with respect to multiplication.
Formally, let be a binary operation on a set X. An element I of X is an identity for if
holds for all x in X. An identity element, if it exists, is unique.
Examples
- Existence of an identity element is one of the properties of a group or monoid.
- An identity matrix is the identity element for matrix multiplication; a zero matrix is the identity element for matrix addition.
- The empty set is the identity element for set union.