Purpose of this assignment:
This assignment is to help you develop a better understanding of group theory and how it can be
applied in different fields, including computer science, cryptography, mathematics, and
engineering. By engaging in meaningful discussions with your peers and instructors, you will be
able to deepen your understanding of these concepts and become a more effective problem solver
in your personal and professional life.
Task:
For this assignment, we will explore the basic algebraic structure group. As we near the end of
this course, we assume that you are well acquainted with the notations of different number
systems such as ℤ, ℝ, ℕ, and ℚ.
Your task is to provide an example and a counter-example of the Abelian group by choosing any
number system (mentioned above) and any algebraic operation such as addition (+), subtraction
(-), multiplication (×), division (÷), addition modulo ( ), or multiplication modulo (n X ).
Choose operations that you find interesting and include reasoning for your choices.
Solution:
An Abelian group is a group for which the elements satisfy the following five properties that is:
Closure property
Associative property
Identity property
Inverse property
Commutative property
Example of the Abelian group
Let’s consider the set of integers (Z) and the algebraic operation of addition (+). The set
of integers (Z) under the algebraic operation of addition forms an Abelian group.
1- Closure property
∀ a , b ∈ Z ⟹ a+ b ∈ Z
For example:
2 , 8 ∈ Z ⟹ 2+8=10∈ Z
2- Associative property
( a+ b ) +c=a+ ( b+ c ) ∀ a , b , c ∈ Z
For example:
∀ 2 ,−4 , 6 ∈ Z
( 2+ (−4 )) + 6=2+ ( (−4 )+ 6 )
(−2 ) +6=2+(2)
4=4
3- Identity property
When 0 is added to any integer number a, the sum is a. Therefor 0 is the additive
identity of set of integers.
For example:
a+ 0=a ∀ a ,0 ∈ Z
2+0=2
4- Inverse property
a+ (−a ) =0 ∀ a ,−a ∈ Z
For example:
2+ (−2 ) =0
6+ (−6 )=0
5- Commutative property
a+ b=b+a ∀ a , b ∈ Z
For example:
2+9=9+2
11=11
Counter example of the Abelian group
Let’s consider the set of integers (Z) and the algebraic operation of multiplication (*). The set of
integers (Z) under the algebraic operation of multiplication does not form an Abelian group.
1- Closure property
∀ a , b ∈ Z ⟹ a∗b ∈ Z
For example:
2 , 8 ∈ Z ⟹ 2∗8=16 ∈ Z
2- Associative property
( a∗b )∗c=a∗( b∗c ) ∀ a , b , c ∈ Z
For example:
∀ 2 ,−4 , 6 ∈ Z
( 2∗(−4 ) )∗6=2∗( (−4 )∗6 )
(−8 )∗6=2∗(−2 4)
−48=−4 8
3- Identity property
When 1 is multiplied to any integer number a, the product is a. Therefor 1 is the
multiplicative identity of set of integers.
For example:
a∗1=a ∀ a ,1 ∈ Z
2∗1=2
6- Inverse property
a∗a=1 ∀ a∈ Z
Z does not have inverse of all elements except 1 and -1
Therefor, the set of integers Z under the algebraic operation of multiplication is not an Abelian
group.
Your Discussion should be a minimum of 200 words in length.