# How to prove that $x\cdot y\neq 0$ when $x\neq 0$ and $y\neq0$ via field axioms?

How to prove that $$x\cdot y\neq 0$$ when $$x\neq 0$$ and $$y\neq0$$ via field axioms?

According to the field axioms, especially the Commutativity of multiplication it is $$a\cdot b=b\cdot a$$. Is that enough to disprove $$x\cdot y=0$$ hence proving that $$x\cdot y\neq 0$$

• Thank you for your response. To what "definition" are you reffering? To the aforementioned Commutativity? – Analysis Apr 23 at 10:00
• Sorry, in my definition of a field it's so that $F\setminus \{0\}$ is an Abelian group with respect to multiplication. You must have some other one. – Jakobian Apr 23 at 10:03

Suppose that $$x\cdot y=0$$ and $$x\neq 0$$, then $$\frac1x$$ exists and $$\frac1x\cdot x\cdot y=\frac1x\cdot 0$$, what is equivalent to $$y=0$$.
• Yeah, but since it is $\Longleftrightarrow$ I also have to prove that $(x=0)\vee (y=0) \Longrightarrow x\cdot y=0$. – Analysis Apr 23 at 10:12
• @Analysis ok, I understand... Just use the above. I had proven it in my answer, I just skipped the part that $\frac1x\cdot 0=0$ – Masacroso Apr 23 at 10:14
• I want to start like that: Suppose that $x\cdot y=0$ with $y\neq 0$ and $x\neq 0$ ..... and than disprove that statement – Analysis Apr 23 at 10:16
• @Analysis suppose you start like you want... Then from my answer you get the contradiction that $y=0$, then it is not possible that $x\cdot y=0$ and $x,y\neq 0$ at once, so if $x\cdot y=0$ then $x,y\neq 0$ must be false. – Masacroso Apr 23 at 10:17
If $$x\neq0$$, then it as an inverse. So$$y=1.y=(x^{-1}.x).y=x^{-1}.(x.y)=x^{-1}.0=0.$$Now, it remains to be proved from the field axioms that you always have $$x.0=0$$.
• I have already proved $x\cdot 0=0$ and $-x=(-1)x$. Now I have to prove that $x\cdot y=0 \quad \Longleftrightarrow \quad (x=0)\vee (y=0)$. Proof by cases: I have proven the cases $x\neq 0$ and $y=0$ and vice versa. Now the third case $x\neq 0$ and $y\neq 0$ – Analysis Apr 23 at 10:03
• Since you have already proved that you always have $x.0=0$, there is nothing else that you need to prove. The fact that you always have $x.0=0$was all that was needed to complete my proof of the fact that $x\neq0\implies y=0$. – José Carlos Santos Apr 23 at 10:06