Definition:Inverse Element/Also known as
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Inverse Element: Also known as
An inverse of $x$ is also known as a two-sided inverse of $x$, symmetric element or negative of $x$.
Some sources refer to it as a reciprocal element, which terminology is borrowed from the real numbers under multiplication.
The notation used to represent an inverse of an element is often understood to depend on the set and binary operation under consideration.
Various symbols are seen for a general inverse, for example $\hat x$ and $x^*$.
- If $s \in S$ has an inverse, it is denoted $s^{-1}$.
If the operation concerned is commutative, then additive notation is often used:
- If $s \in S$ has an inverse, it is denoted $-s$.
Sources
- 1965: Seth Warner: Modern Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Algebraic Structures: $\S 4$: Neutral Elements and Inverses