Problem | Teachers' Notes | Solution | Printable page |

This problem is about infinite groups. We first meet groups when we do simple number work and they are useful in much more general applications. To use groups in higher mathematics we need a precise definition.

A group is a set of elements together with a binary operation and four defining properies (see the notes). Some groups are commutative (Abelian) and other groups are not.

(a) Convince yourself that the set of integers with the operation of addition satisfies the four given conditions and so forms a group. Why does the set of natural numbers (positive integers) with the operation of subtraction not form a group?

(b) Convince yourself that the set of positive rational numbers with the operation of multiplication forms a group. Why does the set of positive rational numbers with the operation of division not form a group?

(c) Why does the set of positive integers with the operation of multiplication not form a group?

(d) Why does the set of positive even integers with the operation of multiplication not form a group?

(e) The set of integers with the operation * defined such that $m*n = m + n + 1$ is a group. Find the identity element and the inverse of the element $m$.

(f) The set of integers with the operation * defined by $m*n = m + (-1)^m n $ is a group. Find the identity element and the inverse of the element $m$.

(g) The set of all real numbers excluding only the number -1 together with the operation $x*y = xy + x + y$ is a group. Find the identity and the inverse of the element $x$.

To read more about groups and properties of groups, which may help you with this problem, see Small Groups . The article is about finite groups.

Groups. Real numbers. Symmetry. Integers. Structures of simple finite groups. Dynamical systems. Mathematical reasoning & proof. Subgroups. Hyperbola. Inverses.