Definition:Inverse Element/Also known as

From ProofWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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 $\hat x$, $x'$ and $x^*$.


In multiplicative notation:

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