Understanding Set Theory: Query on +, -, *. /

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concepts of one-to-one onto functions and the relationship between multiplication and division in the context of Set Theory. It is mentioned that multiplication is not one-to-one and therefore does not have an inverse, while division is a (partial) function. The conversation also mentions that all four basic arithmetic operations are onto, but addition is not one-to-one. The final part of the conversation delves into the idea of relating multiplication and division and the possibility of defining inverse functions for these operations.
  • #1
nigelwu
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Hi, I am currently reading something on Set Theory (I am not a student BTW) and I got struck. Please would somebody could give me some advices. Thanks in advance.


Is multiplication a one to one onto function G:NxN->N or G:RxR->R
I guess not. Since G(2,3)=6 and G(1,6)=6. So if not, then does this mean that there exist no inverse G such that G o InverseG = 1?
If so, does this inverseG refer to our usual sense for "division"?

Is the usual additional a one to one onto function F:NxN->N or F:RxR->R


So how do we see the addition and multiplication in the sense of Set Theory?

Does this mean that I have to stick to the symmetry, distributive, .. axioms etc.? If so why symmetry? and why distributive?...
 
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  • #2
Multiplication is not 1-1, so it has no left inverse. It has many right inverses, but since it has no left inverse, it has no inverse. If G were to have an inverse, it would be a function [itex]\mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}\times \mathbb{R}[/itex]. Division, on the other hand, is a (partial) function [itex]\mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}[/itex], so not only is division not the inverse of multiplication, it isn't even the right type of function.

All four basic arithmetic operations are onto.

Addition is not one-to-one.

I can't make sense of the last four questions.
 
  • #3
Thanks for your help. Really appreciated.

So, how would we related multiplication and division, particularly if we are doing arithematic, say x*y=z implies x=y/z for z not equal 0.

(ps since I read something saying that think of minus is a reverse process of addition)
 
  • #4
You are not appreciating the fact that given two numbers such that x+y=z ro xy=z then this in no way determines x or y.
 
  • #5
You could define a pair of functions, R->R, by fa(b)=ab and ga(b)=b/a for any nonzero number a, and these would be inverses.
 

FAQ: Understanding Set Theory: Query on +, -, *. /

What is set theory?

Set theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of sets, which are collections of objects or elements. It provides a foundation for other branches of mathematics and is used in various fields such as computer science, physics, and linguistics.

What is the symbol + used for in set theory?

In set theory, the symbol + is used to represent the union of two sets. This means that the resulting set will contain all the elements that are present in either of the two original sets.

How is the symbol - used in set theory?

In set theory, the symbol - is used to represent the difference between two sets. This means that the resulting set will contain all the elements that are present in the first set, but not in the second set.

What does the symbol * represent in set theory?

In set theory, the symbol * is used to represent the Cartesian product of two sets. This means that the resulting set will contain all the ordered pairs of elements, where the first element is from the first set and the second element is from the second set.

What is the purpose of the / symbol in set theory?

In set theory, the symbol / is used to represent the division of two sets. This means that the resulting set will contain all the elements that are present in the first set, but not in the second set.

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