# Question about some properties of the binary operation $a*b=a-b$.

Originally, the question asks whether $\mathbb{Q}^2\to \mathbb{Q}, (a,b) \mapsto a-b$ is associative, commutative, has a neutral element and has an inverse.

1. Associativity and commutativity: In testing for commutativity, we verify whether it is the case that $a*b=b*a$, for associativity whether that $a*(b*c)=(a*b)*c$. Clearly, this isn't true.

2. Inverse element: I am unsure whether this has an inverse, i.e. can we take that $a$ it self so that $a*a=a*a=0$? If so, then it does.

3. Neutral element: It doesn't have one since $a*0\neq 0*a$.

Does it make sense to say that this has an inverse element when it has no identity element?

• I believe that if you check the definition of binary operation, you'll be able to answer your own question. – Git Gud Oct 8 '15 at 21:27
• Also while checking the definition of binary operation, you should look up the associative and commutative properties. – user147163 Oct 8 '15 at 21:29
• Okay, guys I have reviewed some stuff and cleared up things about the notation .. I just have a single question now. Is what i'm saying about the inverse element true? It seems like it is non-sensical to even say that it has an inverse since it does not have a neutral element. – user265675 Oct 8 '15 at 21:47

It does not make sense to say that inverses exist unless there exists an identity. So you should do (3) before even trying (2) (and if there exists no identity, you can skip (2) and just say that it doesn't make sense to ask whether there are inverses). But I'm not sure that what you're saying for (3) is quite right: to say that there is no identity, you need to say that there exists no element $c$ such that for all $a$, $c*a=a*c=a$. This $c$ doesn't necessarily have to be the rational number $0$. Similarly, if you find that such a $c$ does exist, then in (2) you should be looking for $b$ such that $a*b=b*a=c$, not $a*b=b*a=0$.