Inverse in Group is Unique/Proof 3

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Theorem

Let $\struct {G, \circ}$ be a group.


Then every element $x \in G$ has exactly one inverse:

$\forall x \in G: \exists_1 x^{-1} \in G: x \circ x^{-1} = e^{-1} = x^{-1} \circ x$

where $e$ is the identity element of $\struct {G, \circ}$.


Proof

Let $x, y \in G$.

We already have, from the definition of inverse element, that:

$\forall x \in G: \exists x^{-1} \in G: x \circ x^{-1} = e = x^{-1} \circ x$

By Group has Latin Square Property, there exists exactly one $a \in G$ such that $a \circ x = y$.

Similarly, there exists exactly one $b \in G$ such that $x \circ b = y$.

Substituting $e$ for $y$, it follows that $x^{-1}$ as defined above is unique.

$\blacksquare$


Sources

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