Show Zm with binary operation is a group

In summary, the conversation discusses the binary operation defined on Zm, which is addition modulo m. The conversation also includes a discussion on how to prove associativity, the existence of an additive identity, and the existence of additive inverses in Zm. The conversation also mentions the set's elements being "equivalence classes" and the use of \overline{0}, \overline{1}, \overline{2},\cdot\cdot\cdot, \overline{m-1}.
  • #1
karnten07
213
0

Homework Statement


Let m[tex]\in[/tex]N. We defined a binary operation on Zm:= {[tex]_{}0[/tex],[tex]_{}1[/tex]..., [tex]_{}m-1[/tex]}. Show that Zm together with this binary operation is a group. (Hint. For associativity you need to distinguish several cases)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know what the lines above the numbers mean, does it mean they can be positive an negative? (there are meant to be lines above the numbers in Zm)

Example of Z3:

+ 0 1 2
0 0 1 2
1 1 2 0
2 2 0 1

For the cases i need to use to show associativity, i think they are m=1, m>1 and m>2 because my lecturer said that, although I am not sure i remember exactly what he said so i could be wrong. I can show m=1 as it is just a group table of all zeros. I think the case where m>1 it is meant to be 2>/=m>1 so it becomes Z2. But how do i show z>2 as it has elements that go up to m-1?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
karnten07 said:

Homework Statement


Let m[tex]\in[/tex]N. We defined a binary operation on Zm:= {[tex]_{}0[/tex],[tex]_{}1[/tex]..., [tex]_{}m-1[/tex]}. Show that Zm together with this binary operation is a group. (Hint. For associativity you need to distinguish several cases)
What binary operation? You told us what Zm is (which I suspect many of us already knew) but you haven't told us what the "binary operation defined on Zm" is! (s it "addition modulo m"?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know what the lines above the numbers mean, does it mean they can be positive an negative? (there are meant to be lines above the numbers in Zm)

Example of Z3:

+ 0 1 2
0 0 1 2
1 1 2 0
2 2 0 1

For the cases i need to use to show associativity, i think they are m=1, m>1 and m>2 because my lecturer said that, although I am not sure i remember exactly what he said so i could be wrong. I can show m=1 as it is just a group table of all zeros. I think the case where m>1 it is meant to be 2>/=m>1 so it becomes Z2. But how do i show z>2 as it has elements that go up to m-1?
From what you are saying, then, the operation is addition modulo m. I can't be certain what the "lines above the numbers" mean, especially since I don't see any lines above in numbers in what you wrote! Do you have [itex]\overline{0}, \overline{1}, \overline{2},\cdot\cdot\cdot, \overline{m-1}[/itex]? Zm, technically, is the set whose elements are "equivalence classes"- that is, sets of integers such that difference is a multiple of m. Those, I suspect are what your "lines above the numbers mean"- [itex]\overline{1}[/itex] is the set containing {1, m+1, -m+1, m+2, -m+2, ...}.

In that case, the usual binary operation is this: to add "A+ B", choose an integer from set A and a number from set B. Add them. If the result is in set C, then A+ B= C. Of course, you have to prove that if you were to choose different integers from the same sets you would get the same resutl but that is relatively easy. Once you have done that, since each set contains exactly one non-negative member less than m and it is simplest to "represent" the set by that number. To prove "associativity" you need to show that (a+ b)+ c= a+ (b+ c) for any numbers in the set. One thing you might do is this- assuming that a, b, c are all in {0, 1, 2, ..., m-1} consider the cases when a+b< m, a+b> m, b+ c< m, b+ c> m. If a+b< m then their sum "modulo m" is just a+ b itself. If a+ b> m, their sum "modulo m" is a+ b- m since a+ b- m will be less than m and (a+b)- (a+b- m)= m.

After you have proven associativity you will need to prove that this set has an "additive identity": there is an e in the set such thata+ e= a for all a in the set. Try the obvious! You will also need to prove that every member has an "additive inverse": for every a in the set, there is b in the set so that a+ b= e.

While each of the sets making up Zm contain both positive and negative numbers, in general, a negative of a number in the set is NOT in the set. n- (-n)= 2n is not, in general, divisible by m.

You will want to notice that, for any number a, (a+ m)- a= m is divisible by m. If a is in a particular set in Zm, so is a+ m. That should tell you what the additive identity is. Also notice that if a is in such a set, then a+ (m-a)= m. That tells you what the additive identity of a is.

You might want to look at Z4 as an example to see what I am talking about. What is the additive identity in Z4? What are the additive inverses of 1, 2 and 3 in Z3?
 
  • #3
HallsofIvy said:
What binary operation? You told us what Zm is (which I suspect many of us already knew) but you haven't told us what the "binary operation defined on Zm" is! (s it "addition modulo m"?


From what you are saying, then, the operation is addition modulo m. I can't be certain what the "lines above the numbers" mean, especially since I don't see any lines above in numbers in what you wrote! Do you have [itex]\overline{0}, \overline{1}, \overline{2},\cdot\cdot\cdot, \overline{m-1}[/itex]? Zm, technically, is the set whose elements are "equivalence classes"- that is, sets of integers such that difference is a multiple of m. Those, I suspect are what your "lines above the numbers mean"- [itex]\overline{1}[/itex] is the set containing {1, m+1, -m+1, m+2, -m+2, ...}.

In that case, the usual binary operation is this: to add "A+ B", choose an integer from set A and a number from set B. Add them. If the result is in set C, then A+ B= C. Of course, you have to prove that if you were to choose different integers from the same sets you would get the same resutl but that is relatively easy. Once you have done that, since each set contains exactly one non-negative member less than m and it is simplest to "represent" the set by that number. To prove "associativity" you need to show that (a+ b)+ c= a+ (b+ c) for any numbers in the set. One thing you might do is this- assuming that a, b, c are all in {0, 1, 2, ..., m-1} consider the cases when a+b< m, a+b> m, b+ c< m, b+ c> m. If a+b< m then their sum "modulo m" is just a+ b itself. If a+ b> m, their sum "modulo m" is a+ b- m since a+ b- m will be less than m and (a+b)- (a+b- m)= m.

After you have proven associativity you will need to prove that this set has an "additive identity": there is an e in the set such thata+ e= a for all a in the set. Try the obvious! You will also need to prove that every member has an "additive inverse": for every a in the set, there is b in the set so that a+ b= e.

While each of the sets making up Zm contain both positive and negative numbers, in general, a negative of a number in the set is NOT in the set. n- (-n)= 2n is not, in general, divisible by m.

You will want to notice that, for any number a, (a+ m)- a= m is divisible by m. If a is in a particular set in Zm, so is a+ m. That should tell you what the additive identity is. Also notice that if a is in such a set, then a+ (m-a)= m. That tells you what the additive identity of a is.

You might want to look at Z4 as an example to see what I am talking about. What is the additive identity in Z4? What are the additive inverses of 1, 2 and 3 in Z3?

Yes you are right, it must be addition modulo m. I have just come to understand how it works now and think i will be able to do this question now. But you've been a great help once again, thanks
 
Last edited:
  • #4
HallsofIvy said:
What binary operation? You told us what Zm is (which I suspect many of us already knew) but you haven't told us what the "binary operation defined on Zm" is! (s it "addition modulo m"?


From what you are saying, then, the operation is addition modulo m. I can't be certain what the "lines above the numbers" mean, especially since I don't see any lines above in numbers in what you wrote! Do you have [itex]\overline{0}, \overline{1}, \overline{2},\cdot\cdot\cdot, \overline{m-1}[/itex]? Zm, technically, is the set whose elements are "equivalence classes"- that is, sets of integers such that difference is a multiple of m. Those, I suspect are what your "lines above the numbers mean"- [itex]\overline{1}[/itex] is the set containing {1, m+1, -m+1, m+2, -m+2, ...}.

In that case, the usual binary operation is this: to add "A+ B", choose an integer from set A and a number from set B. Add them. If the result is in set C, then A+ B= C. Of course, you have to prove that if you were to choose different integers from the same sets you would get the same resutl but that is relatively easy. Once you have done that, since each set contains exactly one non-negative member less than m and it is simplest to "represent" the set by that number. To prove "associativity" you need to show that (a+ b)+ c= a+ (b+ c) for any numbers in the set. One thing you might do is this- assuming that a, b, c are all in {0, 1, 2, ..., m-1} consider the cases when a+b< m, a+b> m, b+ c< m, b+ c> m. If a+b< m then their sum "modulo m" is just a+ b itself. If a+ b> m, their sum "modulo m" is a+ b- m since a+ b- m will be less than m and (a+b)- (a+b- m)= m.

After you have proven associativity you will need to prove that this set has an "additive identity": there is an e in the set such thata+ e= a for all a in the set. Try the obvious! You will also need to prove that every member has an "additive inverse": for every a in the set, there is b in the set so that a+ b= e.

While each of the sets making up Zm contain both positive and negative numbers, in general, a negative of a number in the set is NOT in the set. n- (-n)= 2n is not, in general, divisible by m.

You will want to notice that, for any number a, (a+ m)- a= m is divisible by m. If a is in a particular set in Zm, so is a+ m. That should tell you what the additive identity is. Also notice that if a is in such a set, then a+ (m-a)= m. That tells you what the additive identity of a is.

You might want to look at Z4 as an example to see what I am talking about. What is the additive identity in Z4? What are the additive inverses of 1, 2 and 3 in Z3?


For associativity can i use these cases:

a+b=<m, a+b=m and a+b>m. Do i have to do the other cases of b+c<m and b+c>m or should i make it so these conditions are met simultaneously in say 3 cases? Or should they all be separate or at least treated separately?
 

1. What is a binary operation?

A binary operation is a mathematical operation that involves two elements, typically denoted as a and b, and produces a result that is also an element of the same set.

2. How is a group defined?

A group is a mathematical structure that consists of a set of elements and a binary operation that satisfies four properties: closure, associativity, identity element, and inverse element.

3. What is the identity element in a group?

The identity element in a group is an element that, when combined with any other element in the group using the binary operation, results in the same element. In other words, it is the element that acts as a "neutral" element in the group.

4. How do you show that a set with a binary operation is a group?

To show that a set with a binary operation is a group, you must prove that it satisfies the four properties of a group: closure, associativity, identity element, and inverse element. This can be done by demonstrating that the operation follows these properties for all elements in the set.

5. What is the importance of groups in mathematics?

Groups are important in mathematics because they provide a way to study the behavior of mathematical operations and structures. They allow for the generalization of concepts and the development of new theories and ideas. Groups are also used in many areas of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and number theory.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
451
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
467
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
762
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
340
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
532
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
852
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
275
Back
Top