1. Math 511, Axioms for the set of Integers Z.
We shall assume the following properties as axioms for the set of integers.
1] Addition Properties. There is a binary operation + on Z, called addition,
satisfying
a) Addition is well defined, that is, given any two integers a, b, a + b is a uniquely
defined integer.
b) Substitution Law for addition: If a = b and c = d then a + c = b + d.
c) The set of integers is closed under addition. For any a, b ∈ Z, a + b ∈ Z.
d) Addition is commutative. For any a, b ∈ Z, a + b = b + a.
e) Addition is associative. For any a, b, c ∈ Z, (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).
f) There is a zero element 0 ∈ Z (also called the additive identity), satisfying
0 + a = a = a + 0 for any a ∈ Z.
g) For any a ∈ Z, there exists an additive inverse −a ∈ Z satisfying
a + (−a) = 0 = (−a) + a.
Properties a),b), and c) above are implicit in the definition of a binary operation.
Definition: Subtraction in Z is defined by a − b = a + (−b) for a, b ∈ Z.
2] Multiplication Properties. There is an operation · (or ×) on Z called multi-
plication, satisfying,
a) Multiplication is well defined, that is, given any two integers a, b, a · b is a
uniquely defined integer.
b) Substitution Law for multiplication: If a = b and c = d then ac = bd.
c) Z is closed under multiplication. For any a, b ∈ Z, a · b ∈ Z.
d) Multiplication is commutative. For any a, b ∈ Z, ab = ba.
e) Multiplication is associative. For any a, b, c ∈ Z, (ab)c = a(bc).
f) There is an identity element 1 ∈ Z satisfying 1 · a = a = a · 1 for any a ∈ Z.
3] Distributive property. This is the one property that combines both addition
and multiplication. For any a, b, c ∈ Z, a(b+c) = ab+ac. One can deduce (from the
given axioms) the additional distributive laws, (a + b)c = ac + bc, a(b − c) = ab − ac
and (a − b)c = ac − bc.
4] Trichotomy Principle. The set of integers can be partitioned into three disjoint
sets, Z = −N ∪ {0} ∪ N, where
N = {1, 2, 3, . . . } = Natural Numbers = Positive Integers,
−N = {−1, −2, −3, . . . } = Negative Integers.
One then defines the inequalities > and < by saying a > b if a − b ∈ N and
a < b if a − b ∈ −N. Thus we get the Law of Trichotomy which states that for any
two integers a, b exactly one of the following holds: a < b, a = b or a > b, (that is
a − b ∈ −N, a − b = 0 or a − b ∈ N.)
5] Positivity Axiom. The sum of two positive integers is positive. The product
of two positive integers is positive.
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6] Discreteness Properties.
a) Well Ordering Property of N. Any nonempty subset of N has a smallest
element.
b) Principle of Induction. Let S be a subset of N such that
(i) 1 ∈ S and (ii) n ∈ S ⇒ n + 1 ∈ S.
Then S = N.
Further Properties of Z. The properties below can all be deduced from the
axioms above. You may assume them in your homework unless specifically asked
to prove the property.
7] Cancellation law for addition: If a + x = a + y then x = y.
8] Cancellation law for multiplication: If ax = ay and a 6= 0 then x = y.
9] Equality-subtraction principle. x = y if and only if x − y = 0.
10] Additive inverses are unique, that is, if a, b, c are integers such that a + b = 0
and a + c = 0 then b = c.
11] Zero multiplication property: a · 0 = 0 for any a ∈ Z.
12] Zero divisor property, or integral domain property: If ab = 0 then a = 0 or
b = 0.
13] Properties of negatives: (−a)b = −(ab) = a(−b), (−a)(−b) = ab, (−1)a = −a.
14] The product of two negative integers is positive.
15] “FOIL” Law (and all similar distributive laws): For any integers a, b, c, d,
(a + b)(c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd.
16] Genassocomm Law: General Associative-Commutative Law:
a) Addition: When adding a collection of n integers a1 + a2 + · · · + an , the
numbers may be grouped in any way and added in any order. In particular, the
sum a1 +a2 +· · ·+an is well defined, that is, no parentheses are necessary to specify
the order of operations.
b) Multiplication: When multiplying a collection of n integers a1 a2 · · · · · an , the
numbers may be grouped in any way and multiplied in any order. In particular,
the product a1 a2 · · · · · an is well defined, that is, no parentheses are necessary to
specify the order of operations.
17] Binomial Expansion:
For anyintegers a, b and positive integer n we have
(a + b)n = an + n1 an−1 b + n2 an−2 b2 + · · · + bn .
In particular,
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2 b + 3ab2 + b3 .
