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Review
To most people the word algebra means high school algebra. But there are many kinds of
algebra. An algebra consists of one or more sets, called carriers, and one or more
operations
on the sets. The collection of operations is often called the signature of the algebra. Denote
an algebra by listing the carriers, then a semicolon, then the operators in the signature.
Examples. N; +
N; 0, +
Q; +, ·, 0, 1
S, lists(S); , cons, head, tail
A*; , cat.
To solve problems with an algebra means to be able to apply properties of the operations.
For example, in the algebra Q; +, ·, 0, 1, the following properties hold:
x + 0 = x, x·1 = x, x + y = y + x, x·y=y·x, x· (y + z) = x·y + x·z, and so on.
Abstract versus Concrete. Some algebras are abstract in the sense that the carriers are not
concrete known sets. So the operations must be described by axioms.
Example. Consider the algebra S; a, ƒ, where a S and let ƒ3(x) = ƒ6(x) for all x S. In
this case we can say that S contains the elements a, ƒ(a), ƒ2(a), ƒ3(a), ƒ4(a), ƒ5(a).
Properties of Binary Operations. Let ° be a binary operation on S.
° is commutative if x ° y = y ° x for all x, y S.
° is associative if (x ° y) ° z = x ° (y ° z) for all x, y S.
1
An element e S is an identity for ° if x ° e = e ° x = x for all x S.
Binary Operation Tables o 0 1 2 3
If ° is a binary operation on a finite set S, then we can represent ° in 0 0 1 2 3
1 1 2 3 0
table form, where the entry in row x and column y is the value x ° y.
2 2 3 0 1
Example. Let S = N4 = {0, 1, 2, 3} and let x ° y = (x + y) mod 4. 3 3 0 1 2
Then the operation table for ° is pictured.
Quiz (1 minute). For the table pictured in the previous example, state whether ° satisfies any
of the following properties: commutative, associative, identity, zero, inverses.
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Answer. Is commutative; is associative; has identity 0; no zero;
has inverses 1 ° 3 = 0, 2 ° 2 = 0, and 0 ° 0 = 0.
Quiz (6 minutes). Let S = {a, b, c} and let ° be a binary operation on S. In each case, find an
operation table for ° that satisfies the given conditions.
1. b is a zero, a is an identity, every element except b has an inverse, and ° is commutative.
Answers.
2. (1) o but
° is commutative
a not
b associative.
c (2) o a b c (3) o a b c
a a b c a a b c a a b c
3. ° is associative but not commutative.
b b b b b b b a b a b c
c c b a c c a b c a b c