Non-Zero Integers are Cancellable for Multiplication

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Theorem

Every non-zero integer is cancellable for multiplication.


That is:

$\forall x, y, z \in \Z, x \ne 0: x y = x z \iff y = z$


Proof 1

Let $x y = x z$.

There are two cases to investigate: $x > 0$ and $x < 0$.


Let $x > 0$.

From Natural Numbers are Non-Negative Integers, $x \in \N_{> 0}$.

By the Extension Theorem for Distributive Operations and Ordering on Natural Numbers is Compatible with Multiplication, $x$ is cancellable for multiplication.

$\Box$


Let $x < 0$.

We know that the Integers form Integral Domain and are thus a ring.

Then $-x > 0$ and so:

\(\ds \paren {-x} y\) \(=\) \(\ds -\paren {x y}\) Product with Ring Negative
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds -\paren {x z}\) $\struct {\Z, +}$ is a group: Group Axiom $\text G 3$: Existence of Inverse Element
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \paren {-x} z\) Product with Ring Negative
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds y\) \(=\) \(\ds z\) from above: case where $x > 0$

$\Box$


So whatever non-zero value $x$ takes, it is cancellable for multiplication.

$\blacksquare$


Proof 2

Let $y, z \in \Z: y \ne z$.

\(\ds y\) \(\ne\) \(\ds z\)
\(\ds \leadstoandfrom \ \ \) \(\ds y - z\) \(\ne\) \(\ds 0\)
\(\ds \leadstoandfrom \ \ \) \(\ds x \paren {y - z}\) \(\ne\) \(\ds 0\) Ring of Integers has no Zero Divisors‎
\(\ds \leadstoandfrom \ \ \) \(\ds x y - x z\) \(\ne\) \(\ds 0\) Integer Multiplication Distributes over Subtraction

The result follows by transposition.

$\blacksquare$


Proof 3

Let $x y = x z$.

There are two cases to investigate: $x > 0$ and $x < 0$.


Let $x > 0$.

From Natural Numbers are Non-Negative Integers, $x \in \N_{> 0}$.

By the Extension Theorem for Distributive Operations and Ordering on Natural Numbers is Compatible with Multiplication, $x$ is cancellable for multiplication. {{qed|lemma}


Let $x < 0$.

We know that the Integers form Integral Domain and are thus a ring.

Then $-x > 0$ and so:

\(\ds x y\) \(=\) \(\ds x z\)
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \paren {-\paren {-x} } y\) \(=\) \(\ds \paren {-\paren {-x} } z\) Negative of Ring Negative
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds -\paren {\paren {-x} y}\) \(=\) \(\ds -\paren {\paren {-x} z}\) Product with Ring Negative
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds -y\) \(=\) \(\ds -z\) as $-x$ is (strictly) positive, the above result holds
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds y\) \(=\) \(\ds z\) $\struct {\Z, +}$ is a group: Group Axiom $\text G 3$: Existence of Inverse Element

$\Box$


So whatever non-zero value $x$ takes, it is cancellable for multiplication.

$\blacksquare$


Also known as

Some sources give this as the cancellation law, but this term is already in use in the context of a group.


Sources

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