Boolean rings with identity can only take 2 elements?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of boolean rings, specifically focusing on whether a boolean ring with a multiplicative identity can contain only two elements, 0 and 1. Participants are examining the implications of theorems related to boolean rings and questioning the validity of claims made regarding the number of elements in such rings.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to apply theorems about boolean rings to argue that only 0 and 1 can exist in such a ring. Others question the reasoning behind this claim, suggesting that the existence of additional elements is not ruled out by the properties discussed. There is also a consideration of the uniqueness of boolean rings with a multiplicative identity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the properties of boolean rings. Some have provided counterexamples and raised questions about the assumptions underlying the original claims. There is no explicit consensus, and multiple viewpoints are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the constraints of discussing boolean rings specifically with a multiplicative identity. There is a focus on the implications of theorems and definitions, with some questioning the completeness of the original poster's arguments.

pivoxa15
Messages
2,250
Reaction score
1
Using the theorem that in any boolean ring a+a=0 for all a in boolean ring R.

Then 0 is in R. Make the multiplicative identity 1 is also in it. Therefore R can only take 0 and 1 and no more because 1+1=0. 0+0=0. 1+0=1 always. So 2 or other elements can never occur.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What? That makes no sense. Mainly because you do not ask a question at all.
 
Ok, so '2' isn't in the ring. Why does that mean there is nothing else in the ring? There's no rule that says you can generate everything in a ring by adding 1's.
 
I was looking for a confirmation that my claim is correct.

So far we know 0 and 1 is in R. Take all 4 combinations of these two elements with respect to the 2 operations. So 8 additions and multiplications all together, all of which gives 0 or 1 so R contains only two elements 0 and 1. The only non trivial one is 1+1 which has to be 0 as by the theorem in the OP.
 
Last edited:
Your 'claim' is not only incorrect. It's ridiculous. So all rings are generated by 0 and 1? You had better add that to the axiom list, because its not there yet, last I heard.
 
Here is a meta-answer that shows the claim to be silly. If there is a unique boolean ring, why did you ask about boolean ringS?
 
Remember I am talking about a boolean wring with multiplicative identity.

I am claiming there is only one unique boolean ring with multiplicative identity.

Or with even this consideration taken into account, it is not correct? If so why?

If the boolean ring doesn't have multiplicative identity than other combinations may be possible.
 
Last edited:
pivoxa15 said:
Using the theorem that in any boolean ring a+a=0 for all a in boolean ring R.

Then 0 is in R. Make the multiplicative identity 1 is also in it. Therefore R can only take 0 and 1 and no more because 1+1=0. 0+0=0. 1+0=1 always. So 2 or other elements can never occur.
I don't see why those prevent other elements. What about a set {0, 1, a, b} with operation tables:
addition:
0 1 a b
0 0 1 a b
1 1 0 b a
a a b 0 1
b b a 1 0

multiplication
0 1 a b
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 a b
a 0 a b 1
b 0 b 1 a
 
pivoxa15 said:
Remember I am talking about a boolean wring with multiplicative identity.

and?

I am claiming there is only one unique boolean ring with multiplicative identity.

but that is patently silly.

Just write down something to produce a counter example. It is trivial to produce such example. Hell, diagonal matrices with 0s and 1s on the diagonals gives infinitely many counter examples without having to think at all.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K