1.
6 BINARY OPERATIONS
Definition 1 ( Binary Operations)
Let S be a nonempty set. A binary operation on S is a function from
S x S into S. Let * be a binary operation on S. For each a, b S, we
denote,
the element *((a,b)) of S by (a * b).
An operation is
called Binary
Operation on S if:
Exactly one element is For each ordered pair of
assigned to each possible element of S, the element
ordered pair of elements of S. assigned to it is again in S.
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Example 9
On Z, with operation multiplication ( . ).
Note that,
- 12 is assigned to (2, - 6)
3 is assigned to (3, 1)
-36 is assigned to (-6, 6) etc.
Hence, condition 1 satisfied.
Also, for each ordered pair of elements of Z, the element assigned to
it is again in Z.
(as in condition 1)
Hence, condition 2 satisfied.
Then, multiplication is a binary operation on Z.
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Note : Since Z with operation multiplication satisfies Condition 2,
we say Z is closed under multiplication .
Definition 2 (Closed Under)
Let * be a binary operation on S and let H be a subset of S.
The subset H is closed under * if for all a, b H, a*b H.
Example 10
On N, with operation substraction –
Note that, 2 , 7 N but 2 – 7 = – 5N.
Then, condition 2 not satisfied.
– is not a binary operation on N.
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Example 11
On Q, let a*b = a/b .
Here, 2, 0 Q, but 2*0 = 2/0 (no element).
Then, no rational number assigned by this rule to the pair (2, 0).
Condition 1 is not satisfied.
Then, * is not a binary operation. There is an
ordered pair
for which
Note: the element
Referring to example 10, Condition 2 is not satisfied. assigned to,
Then, N is not closed under – . it is not in N
Referring to example 11, Condition 1 is not satisfied.
No rational
Then, * is not defined on Q.
number is
assigned by this
rule to (2,0)
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Example 12
On Z+, define * by (a * b) equals the smaller of a & b or the common
value if a = b.
Thus,
2 * 11 = 2
15 * 10 = 10
3*3=3
Both conditions 1 & 2 satisfied. Then * is a binary operation.
Example 13
On Z+, operation # defined by a # b = ( a*b) + 2 where * is defined
as in example 12. Here, # is a binary operation.
Eg. 4 # 7 = (4 * 7) + 2 = 4 + 2 = 6 Z+.
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Example 14
1. On Z+, define * by a*b = ab. Determine whether * is a binary
operation on Z+.
2. On Z+ , define * by a*b = c, where c is at least 5 more than a+b.
Determine whether * is a binary operation on Z+.
Definition 3 (Commutative operation)
A binary operation * on a set S is commutative if a * b = b * a for
all a, b in S.
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Example 15
On Q, define a binary operation by a b = ab + 1. Show that the
binary operation is commutative on Q.
Solution:
Let a, b be any two elements in Q.
(To show that a b = b a )
LHS : a b = ab + 1
= ba + 1 Because multiplication is commutative on Q.
= b a : RHS
Then, is commutative on Q.
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Example 16
On Z, define a * b = a – b . Determine whether * is commutative on
Z.
Solution :
Let a, b Z.
(To check whether a * b = b * a )
Note that,
by using counterexample
Let 1, 2 in Z.
LHS : 1 – 2 = -1
but, RHS : 2 – 1 = 1
Since LHS RHS , then * is not commutative on Z.
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Exercise:
1. On Q, define by a b = (ab)/ 2. Prove that is commutative on Q .
2. On Z+, define * by a * b = 2ab. Prove that * is commutative on Z+
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Definition 4 ( Associative Operation)
A binary operation * on a set S is associative if (a * b) * c = a * (b * c)
for all a, b, c in S.
Example 17
On Q, define by a b = (ab)/ 2. Determine whether is
associative on Q .
Solution:
Let a, b, c be elements in Q.
(To check whether (a b) c = a (b c ) )
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(Cont.)
LHS : (a b) c
= ((ab)/2 ) c
= (((ab)/2 ) c ) / 2
= (ab)c / 4
= a (bc) / 4 Since multiplication is associative on Q
= ( a ( (bc) / 2 ) ) / 2
= a ((bc) / 2 )
= a (b c) : RHS
Then, is associative on Q.
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Example 18
On Z+, define * by a * b = 2ab. Determine whether * is associative
on Z+ .
Solution:
Let a, b, c in Z+.
(To check whether (a * b)* c = a * (b * c) ).
Try!
Exercise:
Determine whether < Q+, * > , where * is defined by a * b = ( a + b) / 2
is associative on Q+.
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Note:
For a finite set, a binary operation on a set can be defined by means
of a table.
* is commutative if and only if the entries in the table are
symmetric with respect to the diagonal.
Example 19 Since the entries
* a b c d
are symmetric with
a b d a a respect to the
b d a c b diagonal, then * is
c a c d b commutative
d a b b c
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Example 20
* a b c Since a * b = c &
a b c b b * a = a then *
is not commutative
b a c b
c c b a
Example 21
Complete the following table so that * * a b c d
is a commutative binary operation on
a a b c d
the set S = {a, b, c, d }.
b b d a c
c c a d b
d d c b a
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Some important words:
Not everywhere defined - Operation * is called not everywhere
defined on S if:
no element can be assigned to each
possible ordered pairs.
Not well defined - Operation * is called not well defined on S if:
several elements of S are assigned to S
(ambiguity)
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Definition 5 (Binary Algebraic Structure)
A binary algebraic structure, denoted by < S, * > is a set S
together with a binary operation * on S.
Eg : < Z, +> , < Q+, + >
Definition 6 ( Identity element for * )
Let < S, * > be a binary structure. An element e of S is an identity
element for * if
e * s = s * e = s.
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Example 22
i. 0 is the identity for + (addition) on R
since,
0 + a = a + 0 = a for all a in R.
ii. 1 is the identity for . (multiplication) on R
since,
1 . a = a . 1 = a for all a in R.
iii. is the identity for matrix multiplication on M2(R)
because ,
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Example 23
Determine the identity of < Q, > where is defined by
Solution :
Let a be any element in Q.
If e is the identity of < Q, >, then
e a = a e = a.
Then,
LHS:
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RHS:
Since 2 in Q & LHS = RHS, then the identity of < Q, + >.
Example 24
Determine whether < Z, * >, where * is defined by a * b = a – b + 1,
has an identity.
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Solution:
Let a be any element in Z.
If e is the identity element of < Z, * >, then
e * a = a * e = a.
Then,
LHS :
RHS:
Since LHS RHS, then < Z, * > does not have any identity element.
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Theorem 1 (Uniqueness of Identity Element)
A binary structure < S, * > has at most one identity. That is, if there
is an identity, it is unique.
To prove “uniqueness”
-Suppose two different
elements to be the element
that we want to prove unique.
- Finally, to show these two
elements are actually same.
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Proof:
(To show the identity element in < S, * > is unique. )
Let e & f be identity elements of S.
Then,
since e is the identity element,
e*f=f*e=f (1)
Also, since f is the identity element,
e*f=f*e=e (2)
Hence,
from (1) & (2),
f = e.
Therefore, the identity element in < S, * > must be unique
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Example 25
Determine whether < Q+, * > , where * is defined by
has an identity.
Solution:
Let a be any element in Q+.
If e is the identity of < Q+, * >, then
e*a=a*e=a.
Then,
Since e = a represents any element of Q+, then < Q+, * > has no
identity.
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Exercise:
1. On Q, define a binary operation by a b = ab + 1. Determine
the identity element of binary structure < Q, `>.
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