c c

c
BINARY OPERATIONS
3

 

You first learned of binary operations in elementary (basic) school. The objects you were
using were mainly numbers and the binary operations you investigated were addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division.

The concept of binary operations in mathematics has been defined by many based on
their different understanding of the concept.

Few are:

-c A Ô 
 
 is a calculation involving
 , in other words, an
operation whose 

is two. Examples include the familiar arithmetic operations
of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

-c A binary operation is simply a rule for combining two objects of a given type, to
obtain another object of that type.

Considering all the above definitions, I can confidently summarise the idea of a binary
operation as; ´a way to produce an element of a set from a given pair of elements of the
same set according to a rule of operationµ.

By way of summary, binary operation is:

Any 
  that combines any

 of a

given 
according to some clearly  .c

In studying binary operations on sets, we tend to be interested in those operations that

have certain properties and we will discuss this further.

Let us begin by taking a closer look at the properties of binary operations.

These properties form the basis for a better understanding of the concept of binary
operations.

Remember that, the properties of binary operation are in application in many sectors or
industries of our economy including the stock market, transportation, IT, energy,
medicine, printing, etc.

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ñ.c £x

(a)cSuppose the binary operation of addition ´+µ is defined on a set of real numbers.
We notice that whenever two real numbers are added, we still obtain a real number.
Under those circumstances, we say that the operation of addition ´+µ is  on the
set of real numbers.
(b)cSuppose we define the binary operation of addition ´+µ on the set å
, we
notice that 3+7=ñ , but 
å so ´+µ is not closed on the set A.

In general, the binary operation  defined on a set S is closed on S if and only if

ó    ó

ó   c


This resembles the idea of a nuclear family where there is no ´stepµ son or daughter by
either the father or mother. Rather, all children in the nuclear family come from the
same source [same father, same mother]. In that sense, the set of nuclear family is closed.
No intruders or strangers.!!

 
ñ.c The binary operation š is defined on the set
 by
š
 

   
 . Is the operation š closed on S?
J  

From the equationó š  ó    ó

š     
     
. But 
, therefore the operation š is not closed

2.c The binary operation f is defined on the set

   by the table below.

f a b c d
a a b c d
b c d b c
c a b c d
c
d m c a b
Is the operation f closed on the set B?


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From the table, we notice that Â
, so the operation f is not closed on the set B.

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3.c The operation š is defined on the set 
 by the table below.

š ñ 3 5
ñ 3 ñ 5
3 ñ 3 5
5 5 5 5

Is the operation š closed on S?



J  
Since all the answers in the table (numbers in the shaded region) are members of set S,
the operation š is closed on the set S.

à c £

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The binary operation š defined on the set S is said to be commutative if and only if

óš  š ó ó

ó   c

This property is properly one of the oldest and most frequently used properties that we
as students of mathematics have been using since our elementary days. Changing of
positions and still getting the same answer. Remember?         .

Therefore, the commutative property is a very simple one that does not need much
explanation.

 

ñ.c The binary operation ‘ is defined on the set R of real numbers by

‘
 

 !"" 
  .
(a)cEvaluate (i). ‘ ) (ii).  ‘  (iii). What conclusion can you draw from the results
in (i) and (ii)?
(b)cFind the truth set of # ‘   ‘ , correct to two decimal places.

J  

(a)c(i).  ‘      

$

(ii).  ‘      



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From the result of (i) and (ii),  ‘  %  ‘ . Hence, the operation ‘ is not commutative.
(b)c # ‘   ‘ 
& #    #     
#      # 
#    # ' 
#   # '  ()((*+,!-+!

Using the quadratic formula;
./01/2 .345
# (where 
 ')
4
' 0 6 ' '
#


' 0 1  7 ' 0 1
  
 
'  8 ' ' 8
 
 
8 ' 8
 
 
 8$ ' 8$. Therefore the truth set of the equation is
'8$ 8$.

2.c A binary operation t is defined on the set R of real numbers by t

' 



  8
(i)c Is the operation t commutative?
(ii)cFind the truth set of the equation 9 t $9 .


J  
(i)c t

' 
       

t
 ' 
       
Since 
' 

 ' 
 we can deduce from (ñ) and (2) that t

t .
Hence, the binary operation t is commutative.
(ii)c 9 t $9
9  $9 ' 9 $9  
9  $9 ' 9 9 
9  $9 ' :9 
Let  9  then the above equation becomes:
    '  :
   '     ,(;(*+
   '  <      ' 
=
Giving   '  


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Thus 9 9 ' 9 

=
The equation 9  * 9
' have  
  so we discard these answers.

Z The solution of the equation 9 (; 8
Hence the truth set of the equation 9 t $9 (;
8

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If the binary operation  is closed on the set S such that;

ó    > ó    >ó

ó  >  c

Then the operation  is said to be associative.

Associative property is also one of the frequently used properties in mathematics.
At the elementary level, we have probably heard of 9
J ² Bracket of Division,
Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction.

Meaning, anytime you are working with numbers, you consider those in brackets first. In
other words, the operations in the bracket take precedence over all other operations.
In plain language, no matter what happens, you work the bracket first.

Hence, associative property says, if you work what is in the brackets first, change the
position of the brackets and do the operation the other way and the answer must be the
same.
*(Using the concept of mixing Gari, Sugar and Milo in preparation of ´soakingsµ to explain
the concept further, we can come to the conclusion that, the resultant product is the
same irrespective of the process of combination).

 
ñ.c The binary operation ¶ is defined on the set R of real numbers by
?@A
¶
   
  % 
% 8 Find (i).  ¶  ¶  (ii).  ¶  ¶ 
?A
What conclusion can you draw from the results of (i) and (ii)? (iii). Find the truth set of
the equation # ¶   ¶ 8

 
! 
  "





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(i).c ¶  ¶  BCD ¶ c
C@E
c (ii).c ¶  ¶   ¶ BCEDc
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¶ ¶

=F =C

G H2
JG 2J
HI 
G H2
B DG 2B D
HI KL

GG O2
   
HI KL
MN 2M
HI KL

EE Q
3P 3
== 3=
E =

From the results of (i) and (ii),  ¶  ¶  %  ¶  ¶ 8 Hence the binary operation ¶ is
not associative.

(iii). # ¶  ¶
9@3 =@
R 93 =

9@3 :
R 93


R #   7#
Q 
R #  7 # R  # 7 R#
F C
.


Therefore the truth set of the equation is # ¶   ¶ (; S T.
C

2.c The binary operation ‘ is defined on the set R of real numbers by

#‘ #    # !""#   .
(a). Is the operation ‘ associative?
(b). Find the truth set of the equation #  ‘ # # ‘  correct to 2 decimal places.

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(a). Let Þ   (since associative property deals with three variables)
# ‘  ‘ Þ  # ‘  ‘ Þ

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# ‘  ‘ Þ #    # ‘ Þ # ‘  ‘ Þ # ‘   Þ  Þ
#    #  Þ  Þ#    # #    Þ  Þ  #  Þ  Þ
    #    #  Þ  Þ#  Þ  Þ# #    Þ  Þ  #  #Þ  #Þ
#    Þ  #  Þ#  Þ  Þ# #    Þ  #  #Þ  Þ  #Þ

From the above equations, # ‘  ‘ Þ  # ‘  ‘ Þ. Hence, the operation is associative.

(b). #  ‘ # # ‘ 
#   #  #  # #    #
#  #  #: #    #
# :  #  ' # ' 
Using the factor theorem, let # # :  #  ' # ' 
 :   '  '  . Z # '  is a factor of #.
The other factors are determined by means of long division method as shown below:
Thus # :  #  ' # '  # ' #   #   (Factorizing)
<#' #   #  
' 0 1$ ' 
R #= #

(Solving the equation #   #   using the quadratic equation or the general
formula)
.:01C
#  Z # '8 *#: ' 87.


Hence the truth set of the equation #  ‘ # # ‘  
#U # '8 ' 87

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The distributive property uses two binary operations on the same set. If the binary
operation š and are defined on the set S such that;

ó š  > ó š  ó š > ó

ó  >  8c

Then the operation š is distributive over the operation .

The Distributive property is simple. It is just a matter of one operation having authority
over another operation.

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If an operation overrules another operation, we say the overruling operation is
distributive over the other.

 

ñ.cThe binary operations of addition Q  Q and multiplication Q  Q are defined on the set R
of real numbers. Determine whether or not
(a). Q  Q is distributive over Q  Q (b). Q  Q is distributive over Q  Q

J  
(a). Let a, b, c be any real numbers, then the equation  
   
     is
always true, hence Q  Q is distributive over Q  Q on the set R.
(b). The equation  
   
     is not true on the set R. Hence Q  Q is not
distributive over Q  Q.

2.cThe binary operation  and are defined on the set R of real numbers by

 '
 . and  
 
   
  .

(a). Evaluate (i).     (ii).      . What conclusion can you draw
from the results of (i) and (ii)?

(b). Find the truth set of the equations #   #

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(a).       V  W

  

 ' 

 ' 

'

      V '  W V '  W

 ' $  ' 

' ' 

'  '

' ' 

'$
From equations (ñ) and (2),     %      . Hence the operation  is
not distributive over the operation .

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(b). #   #
R # '   ' #
#  ' $  ' # 
#  ' 
#  '   R #  ' 
# ' #    < # '  #  
Thus # # '. Hence, the truth set of the equation #   #

#U #  .

3.cThe binary operations š and

are defined on the set S by the tables below.

š a b c
a b c
c a a c b
a a b c
c b b c a b b a c

c c c a b c c b a

(a). Determine whether or not (i). the operation š is commutative (ii). the operation
is
commutative

(b). Determine whether or not (i) the operation is š is associative (ii). the operation
is
associative

(c). Determine whether or not the operation š is distributive over the operation

J  

(a). (i). Using the table for the operation š, (ii) Using the table for the operation
,

 š

T         



-,

%




š





 š  
T         8 
š 
Hence, the operation is not commutative

 š


T         8 
š

From the equations (ñ), (2), and (3), we deduce
that the operation š is commutative.

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(b). (i). Using the table for the operation š, (iii). Using the table for the operation

š 
š  š 


 
     
 š
 š 
š 




    
Therefore š 
š    š
 š      From the equations (ñ) & (2), we deduce that



 %



Also  š  š
 š  š
     Hence the operation
is not associative.
And 
š  š 
š  š     
From the equations (ñ), (2) and (3), we deduce
that the operation š is associative.

(c). Here we want to determine whether or not ó š 

>  ó š 
ó š > for all
possible arrangements of a, b, c.
Now š 

 š     š

 š 

 
 Z š 

   š

 š    
Again š 

 š

  š 
 š
 



Z š 

  š 
 š
   

Also  š 

  š 
  š 
 š
 

Z  š 

 %  š 
 š
   
From the equations (3), we deduce that the operation š is not distributive over the
operation
. Note that, while the results from equations (ñ) and (2) are not  ,
the result from (3) is 

4.c Given the binary operation  defined on the set 
    is commutative, use the
table below to compute
(a). the value of #   Â   (b). the possible values of t
(c). the value of X  X  XY

c  ñ 2 3 4
c ñ 2 2x 3 
2 2 3 X  Y ñ
,   ,
c
3 4 ñ 2
X ' Y Â  
c
4 4 3
c


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J  
Using the table for the operation,
      (Since Z is commutative)
R # 
Z# 

Also    
&Â 
  '  Z Â

Again
 
,   , 
,   , '   [ ,  , ' 
,   , ' 
Hence , ', 

Finally,
 
XY           8 8 

   q
X'Y           8 8 

Solving the equations (ñ) and (2) simultaneously gives

X 8 *Y 8

Now
(a). #   Â         
(b). The possible values of t are -3 and ñ
(c). X  X  XY 8  8  88
8  8  8
8

L c 3


x


The set P, is said to have an identity element “ under a given operation š if and only if

š  š  ó

    8c

The identity element, if it exists, is unique. That is to say, the set P has only one identity
element.

From the basic education level, we have been working with identity elements.
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Consider the operation of addition Q  Q and multiplication Q  Q.

We remember that, the naturally occurring identity of addition is . Whiles that of

multiplication is ñ. [Recall      and       ].

It is simply the neutral number that when combined with any other element of a set
under a given operation leaves the value of the element unaltered.

 
ñ.c Find the identity element of the set Z of positive integers under the binary operation
of addition Q  Q.
J  
Let “ be the identity element of Z under the operation Q  Q.
Then by definition,   " "    
&" . Since
\, the set Z has no identity element under the operation Q  Q.
You must remember that some sets may 
have identity element under a given binary
operation.

2.c The binary operation ï is defined on the set R of real numbers by

 ï *   *    Â *  . Find the identity element of R under the operation ï.

J  
Let e be the identity element of R under the operation ï.
Then by definition,
 ï " " ï  Â   8
Â" Â
" '. Hence the identity element of R under the binary operation ï is -6.

3.c The binary operation š is defined on the set R of real numbers by

X š Y X  Y ' X Y  !""X Y  8 Find the identity element of R under the binary
operation š.

J  
Let e be the identity element, then by definition, X š " "šX X X  8
Thus
X  " ' X " X.
" ' X "
" ' X " Z"  ' X "

&" " X

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(the identity element) must be unique, the solution "
3]2
Since is inadmissible. It
means, it cannot be accepted as the identity element.
Hence, the identity element of R under the binary operation š is .

4.c The binary operation

is defined on the set M of positive numbers by
?@A


  
 8 Find, if it exists, the identity element of M under the
:?A
binary operation
8

J  
Let e be the identity of M under the binary operation
8
Then
" "
   8 (By definition)
?@^

 "
Thus
?
"   " [   " ' " [ "  '  "
:?2 .=

?
Since _ could be any member of the set M, and must be unique, "
:?2 .=
cannot be
admitted as the identity element.
Hence, the identity element of R under the binary operation š is .

5.c The binary operation f is defined on the set R of ordered pairs of real numbers by
#  f X Y #  X Y #  X Y  . (a). Show that (i). R is commutative
under the binary operation f (ii). R is associative under the binary operation f.
(b). Find the identity element of R under the binary operation f.

J  

(a). #  f X Y #  X Y X Y f #  X  # Y

But #  X Y X  # Y [Note that #  X X  # *Y YW

Z #  f X Y X Y f # 

Hence, the set R is commutative under the binary operation f8

(b). Let  *   then we wish to show whether or not

V#  f X YW  f  * #  f VX Y f  *W

Now, V#  f X YW f  * #  X Y f  *

#  X  Â Y*         

#  f VX Y f  *W #  f X   Y*

#  X  Â Y*         
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From the equations (ñ) and (2), we can conclude that
V#  f X YW  f  * #  f VX Y f  *W

Hence the binary operation f is associative on the set R.

(c). Let  
 be the identity element of R under the binary operation f

Then by definition,
#  f  
  
 f #  # 
[ #   
 # 
& #  # *

 *


Hence, the identity element of R under the binary operation f is ( , ñ)

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Let be the identity element under a binary operation ï defined on the set S,
 !""#
 , then the element ` , is said to be the inverse of a if and only if

ï ï  ó

   c

The inverse of an element, if it exists, under given binary operation is  .



 
The inverse of the element a under a given binary operation is denoted by .b 8
=
cdefgU
.= % h8
A
The inverse of Ô, 
.=  is never the same as the inverse presented under the mathematical
topic 3  

Inverse is simply the opposite of something.

For example, the opposite of positive 2 under the operation of addition is negative 2
i.e. (-2). Implying that, if you add the two values, the resulting number is zero ( ); which is
the identity element of addition V(8 "8  ' W.
=

In addition, the opposite of positive 2 under the operation of multiplication is (from

Indices). Implying that, if you multiply the two values, the resulting value is one (ñ); which
=
is the identity element of multiplication c(8 "8  B D h.


This implies that, the inverse element of a number (in a given set) is the number that
makes results in the identity element of the given operation when operated on.

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i   klm   
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ñ.c The binary operation Z is defined on the set R of real numbers by
  

 
   
 .
Find (i). the identity element of R under Z8 (ii). the inverse X.= q where X  8
(iii). For what value of X(;X.= not defined?

J  
(i). Let e be the identity element. By definition of identity element, "  

  "
.
[ " 
 "


[ "  "
 Z "  
 8 Hence "

(ii). Also by definition of inverse, X.=  X X  X.= ".

[ X.=  X
[ X.=  X  X.= X  [ X.=  X.= X 'X [ X.=   X 'X
X
Z X.= '
  X
(iii). X.= is defined when   X % .
=
Thus, the value of X for which X.= is not defined is when X '


c
c
2.c The table below defines the binary operation
on the set Q, where


  

a b c d
a b d a c
b d c b a
c a b c d
d c a d b

(a). Find, giving reasons, whether or not

(i). Q is closed with respect to
(ii). the operation
is commutative
(iii). There is an identity element

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(b). Find, where possible, the inverse of the element a, b, c and d



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(a). (i). Q is closed with respect to the operation
since all possible answers (in the table
given above) are members of Q. [Refer to the £ property for details]
(ii). from the table given above,






 




 

 
 

 


 


From the above equations, we see that all possible pairs of elements are commutative
with respect to
. Hence the binary operation
is commutative.
(iii). From the table given above,


    8 8  
         8 8 





   8 8  
 
     8 8 
From equations (ñ), (2), (3) and (4), the identity element is c.
Because by observation, any element operated on c results in the same element.

(b). from the table given above,

 


 
 
Since
is the identity element under the binary operation
in the table above, the
inverse element of a, = d , b = b, c = c and d is
. [By definition of Inverse].

3.c The binary operation š is defined on the set of R of real numbers by

š

 . (i). Find the inverse of t under the binary operation š of real numbers
(ii). Find the inverse of 6

J  
(i). Let , .= be the inverse element of t and be the identity element
By the definition of an inverse, , .= š , , š , .= "
But š " "š
[ "  [ " ' '  Z " '

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&  ,' š , ' [ ,'  ,   ' [  ,' ' '  ' ,
Z ,' ' ' ,

(ii). Let .= be the inverse of 6

[ .= š  " [ .=     ' [ .= ' '  ' 
Z .= '

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Any 
  that combines any

 of
ñ.c A binary operation a given 
according to some clearly  .c

2.c Closure Property ó    ó

ó   c

3.c Commutative Property óš  š ó ó

ó   c

4.c Associative Property ó    > ó    >ó

ó  >  c

5.c Distributive Property ó š  > ó š  ó š > ó

ó  >  8c

6.c Identity Property š  š  ó

    8c

7.c Inverse Property ï ï  ó

   c

xxJ 3


ñ.c The binary operation ¶ is defined on the set R of real numbers by ¶

 


where 
 8 Find (i).  ¶ 
(ii). #   #   ¶ # (iii).  ¶
 ¶ 
(iv). ¶ 
¶ 

?@A
š

?A
2.c The binary operation š is defined on the set R of real numbers by

:
(i). š 
š  (ii).  š
 š  (iii). #   š #  
:?šCA
Find (iv).

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3.c A binary operation  is defined on the set 
    by the table below

 2 3 4 5
2 2 3 4 5
3 3 4 5 2
4 4 5 ñ 3
5 5 ñ 3 4

(a). Determine whether or not

(i) Q is closed with respect to the binary operation 
(ii). the operation  is commutative
(b). What is the identity element,  under the operation ?
(c). Find the inverse of each element

4.c A binary operation ¶ is defined on the set R of real numbers by

¶
 ' 
 
  
 8

(a). Find (i).  ¶ ' (ii).  ¶  ¶  (iii).   # ¶  ¶ '

(b). Find the truth set of the equations (i).  ¶  ¶  ¶ (ii).  ¶  

5.c A binary operation š is defined on the set R of real numbers by

š* Â    *. (a). Find (i). ' š  (ii).  š  š  (iii).    š   
(b). Find the truth set of the equation # '  š # '   š  š .

6.c A binary operation f is defined on the set R of real numbers by

f

    
 .
(a). Find (i).  f  f  (ii).  f  f . What conclusion can you draw from the
results of (i) and (ii)?

(b). Find the truth set of the equation # f    f #  f  f #

7.c A binary operation ‘ is defined on the set R of real numbers by

? A
‘
    
  % 
% 8
A ?

(a). Find (i).  ‘ Â ‘  (ii).  ‘  ‘ Â

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(b). Find the truth set of the operation (i). # ‘  ‘ (ii). #   ‘ ‘


8.c The binary operations š and  are defined on the set R of real numbers by

š
 
   
 


 
'
  
 

(a). Find the value of (i).  š    (ii).  š    š 

What conclusions can you draw from the result of (i) and (ii)?

9.c A binary operation t is defined on the set 
X YU X Y   by

X Y t  * X  Y* XY ' Y *  .

(a). Find (i).  t ' (ii). ' t  What conclusion can you draw from
the results of (i) and (ii)?

(b). Find the values of # and  if #  t    t 

9 r
ñ .c A binary operation f is defined on the set R of real numbers by # f  ' 
r 9
= =
!""#    *# % 8 If # f  , show that  ' # 0 #1. Hence, find the
 
value of b for which s ' 1t f  , giving your answer in the form X  Y1, p, q
and r are rational numbers.

ññ.c A binary operation š is defined on the set R of real numbers by

XšY X  Y ' XY, where X Y  8

Find (a). the identity element under the operation (b). the inverse of an element #  ,
stating the value for which no inverse exists.

ñ2.c A binary operation š is defined on the set R of real numbers

XšY X  Y  XY ' 1, where X Y  .

= =
Find (a). s1 ' t š s1  t (b). B DšB D
=@1 =.1

ñ3.c A binary operation

is defined on the set R, of real numbers by

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X
Y X  Y ' 1 !""X Y  .

(a). Evaluate s1  t

s1 ' t (b). Find (i) the identity element of R under the

operation
. (ii). the inverse X.= X (iii). The inverse of 1.

ñ4.c A binary operation ï is defined on the set R of real numbers by

#ï #     # !""#   . Determine whether or not the operation ï is

(a). commutative (b). associative

ñ5.c A binary operation š is defined on the set 
      by

š

'
   
  on the table below. If š denotes addition mod 6
(i). Complete and the table below (ii). Is the operation š closed on T? (iii). Find u.
The identity element under the operation š v 8 the inverse of the element 2

šc c c
c c c c
c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c

c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c

ñ6.c A binary operation Ï is defined on the set R of real numbers by #Ï # ' #  .

Find, under the operation Ï, the (a). the identity element (b). inverse of ñ

(c). inverse of 2

ñ7.c A binary operation  is defined on the set 

  by the table below.

 a b c
a b a c
b a b c
c c c c

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c
c
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Determine (a). (i). whether or not Q is closed with respect to  (b). whether the
operation is commutative (ii). What is the identity element under the operation ?
(iii). Find the inverse of each elemet

ñ8.c Suppose A and B are any subsets of the universal set U. The binary operation 
defined on U is given by å  å w  x  w å !""åy  * y
denotes the
complement of A and B respectively.
(a). Is A commutative? (b). Show that the identity element under the operation  is z
(c). Find the inverse of the set A under the operation 8

ñ9.c The binary operation š defined on the set R of real numbers by

š

  
  !"" 
 8 (i). Is š commutative? (ii). Is š associative

(iii). Is š distributive over ordinary addition Q  Q of real numbers?

2 .c The binary operation š is defined on the set R, real numbers by

š
  
 
 
 8 Find (i).  š 
(ii). š
(iii).    š   
(iv).  
  š  (v).  š   
 
 (vi).  š  
 

2ñ.c The operation B is defined on the set q
    by # B  {# ' { #   8

(a). Is the set P closed under the operation B ? (b). Is the operation (i). commutative
(ii). associative (c). Find , the identity element under the operation B (d). Find the
inverse of each element

22.c A binary operation š is defined on the subsets P and Q of the universal set

    8  by q š  q w y  x  w q y  where q y and y are complements of P
and Q respectively. Given that å
    
    7 |
    

(a). find (i). å š (ii). šå (iii). å š  š | (iv). å š  š |

(b). Is the operation š (i). commutative (ii). associative

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REFERENCES

Fair, J. and Bragg, S. C, J Ô , New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., ñ993
L. Bostock and S. Chandler,    
#$ % %  J&

< & 
Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes, ñ986

WEBSITES
www.wikipedia.org
www.algebralab.com
www.math.csusb.edu
www.mathworld.wolfram.com

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