Sect 1.3 Axioms for the Real Numbers

 

Axioms are basic statements that are assumed to be true. Binary operations (addition and multiplication) assigns any two real numbers to a third real number.

 

Axioms:

 

  1. Closure for addition – when you add two real numbers, you get a real number.
  2. Associative for addition – it does not matter what order you ‘associate’ and add numbers.
  3. Identity for addition – 0 is the additive identity; 0 added to any number gives the number itself.
  4. Commutative for addition – it does not matter if the order of addition is changed.
  5. Additive inverse – an element when added to any real number gives 0.
  6. Closure for multiplication – any two real numbers multiplied together gives a real number.
  7. Associative for multiplication – when real numbers are multiplied, they can be associated in any way.
  8. Commutative for multiplication – it does not matter if the order of multiplication is changed.
  9. Identity for multiplication – 1 is the multiplicative identity; a real number multiplied by 1 gives the number itself.
  10. Multiplicative inverse – (Reciprocal) an element when multiplied by any real number gives 1.

 

Substitution Principle:

Changing the numeral by which a number is named in an expression involving sums or products does not change the value of the expression.

 

Ex. For what operation is the set {-1,0,1} closed?

            (Closed in the case means that if we perform the operations of addition or multiplication on the numbers in the set, will we get a result that is in the set.)

 

Addition: 1 + 1 = 2  Since 2 is not in the set, it is NOT closed under addition.

            *To show not closed you need provide only one example.

 

Multiplication: (-1)(-1) = 1

                          (-1)(0) = 0

                           (1)(1) = 1

                           (1)(0) = 0

            Since all the results are in the set, it IS closed under multiplication.