# Not a Zero Divisor

Let $R$ be a commutative ring. Then we say $a \in R$ is a zero divisor if there exists $b \neq 0$ such that $ab = 0$.

I want to know what it means to not be a zero divisor. So I tried to negate the statement: $a$ is not a zero divisor if for every $b \neq 0$ we have $ab \neq 0$.

Also taking the contrapositive of the initial statement I got the following: If for every $b \neq 0$, $ab \neq 0$, then $a$ is not a zero divisor.

Have I negated the definition of a zero divisor and taken the contrapositive correctly?

My book has the following theorem: Suppose $a$ is not a zero-divisor. Then if $ab = ac$, we can conclude that $b = c$.

Proof: $ab - ac = a(b-c) = 0$. Since $a$ is not a zero-divisor, $b-c = 0$ so $b=c$.

I don't see why $b-c = 0$ because $a$ is not a zero-divisor. Could someone explain?

-
Sometimes $0$ is considered a zero divisor, and sometimes it is not. –  Isaac Solomon Mar 2 '13 at 19:54
When is $0$ not considered a zero-divisor? I suppose sometimes you'll want to reference a non-trivial zero divisor, but it seems like always want $0$ to be considered a zero-divisor. @IsaacSolomon –  Thomas Andrews Mar 2 '13 at 19:57
Essentially, a number is "not a zero divisor" if you can always cancel it from an equation in the ring. –  Thomas Andrews Mar 2 '13 at 20:00
Thomas is spot on: zero definitely is a zero divisor according to any reasonable definition of the term. Moreover, many well-known theorems would be false if one took the absurd position that zero is not a zero-divisor. For example the result that in a noetherian ring the zero divisors consist of the union of the minimal primes. Need I point out the dire consequences for the heretics believing that Bourbaki, Atiyah-Macdonald, Matsumura,... are wrong on this ? –  Georges Elencwajg Mar 2 '13 at 20:05
To answer Student's question, the element $a\in R$ is not a zero-divisor iff the multiplication map $R\to R:x\mapsto ax$ is injective. –  Georges Elencwajg Mar 2 '13 at 20:08

Yes a zero divisor is an element $a\neq 0$ such that you can find a $b\neq 0$ with $ab\ = 0$. The existence of zero divisors in a ring just means that the product of two non-zero elements can be zero.

So indeed, as you write, $a\neq 0$ is not a zero divisor if one of the following equivalent statements are satisfied:

• There does not exist a $b\neq 0$ such that $ab = 0$.
• $ab = 0$ implies that $b = 0$.
• $b\neq 0$ implies $ab \neq 0$.

So indeed is given $a\neq 0$ satisfies that all $b\neq 0$ you have that $ab\neq0$ then $a$ is not a zero divisor.

-
Awesome thank you! –  Student Mar 2 '13 at 19:58
@Student: Glad to help –  Thomas Mar 2 '13 at 19:59

Yes, you have determined the correct formulation for what it means to be a non-zero-divisor.

If $a$ is not a zero-divisor, then for every $r\neq 0$, we have that $ar\neq 0$. But $ar=0$ when $r=b-c$. What does that tell you?

-
Since $a\neq 0$, in order for $a(b-c) = 0$, it must be the case that $b-c = 0$ right? –  Student Mar 2 '13 at 19:52
Because $a$ is not a zero divisor, not because $a\neq 0$. $0$ is the prototypical zero-divisor. @Student –  Thomas Andrews Mar 2 '13 at 19:53
@ThomasAndrews: I see now. Thanks! –  Student Mar 2 '13 at 19:55

$b-c=0$ because any number - that number gives $0$. Else you can't get $0$ if $b>c$ or $c>b$.

-
While it is true that $x-x=0$, this is not what was asked here. Also, note that we are talking about general rings and not numbers: The notion $b>c$ might not even make sense in the given ring. For example, in $\mathbb Z/2\mathbb Z$, there is no ordering compatible with addition. –  Johannes Kloos Mar 2 '13 at 19:53
Oh.. I didn't understood his question then, as for the >, I made a mistake, I should have said if a is different than b. –  user2041143 Mar 2 '13 at 23:59