# Math Help - Group Table

1. ## Group Table

I don't know whether or not I am right about $2^n$ and $n \in G$, where $G = \{-2,-1,0,1,2\}$ being an operation on $(G,*)$. Please tell me.

Suppose that I am correct, then I may say: Since it is a Group, it is a binary operation as well.

Suppose that the group $(G,*)$ is under multiplication.
Then $(n\cdot n)=2^n$ on $(G,\cdot)$. I constructed the group table below. Please verify whether it's correct.

$\begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c|c}\cdot&-2&-1&0&1&2\\
\hline
-2&2^4&2^2&2^0&2^1&2^2\\
\hline
-1&2^2&2^1&2^0&2^1&2^2\\
\hline
0&2^0&2^0&2^0&2^0&2^0\\
\hline
1&2^{-2}&2^{-1}&2^0&2^1&2^2\\
\hline
2&2^{-4}&2^{-2}&2^0&2^1&2^2\end{array}$

Since $(1*n)=2^n$, it follows that $1$ is the identity of $(G,\cdot)$.

Yes?

2. I can't quite understand what is the set of elements you're defining your operation on, or how it is defined...

3. I don't quite understand the question. Do you mean --uh--I don't even know how to put it into words?

Well, I think $2^n$ is under multiplication on $(G,\cdot)$ where $G=\{-2,-1,0,1,2\}$

I made up this question myself after I saw

$(a*b)=a^b$ on $\mathbb{N}$, and I want to know what $2^n , n\in \mathbb{Z}$ is, a group or not a group?

I really don't know what I am doing because I don't have enough reading material.

4. So you're defining your group over the set $\{\pm2, \pm1, 0\}$ with the operation $(\cdot )$. How do you define $a \cdot b$?

5. Originally Posted by Defunkt
So you're defining your group over the set $\{\pm2, \pm1, 0\}$ with the operation $(\cdot )$. How do you define $a \cdot b$?
Oh, I see.

Does $(2\cdot n) = 2^n$ on $\{\pm2, \pm1, 0\}$ look right?

Will the group table look like this?

$\begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c|c}
\cdot&-2&-1&0&1&2\\
\hline
2&2^{-2}&2^{-1}&2^0&2^1&2^2\end{array}$

Then what is the identity? is it $0$?

6. This is not good. You need the operation to be defined for every two elements of your set. Also note that by your current definition, $2\cdot 2 = 2^2=4 \notin \{\pm 2, \pm 1, 0\}$ so this can't be a group.

7. I see.

Well, at any rate, I want to thank you for your time. You have been a very nice friend, and I want you to stay alive on the line of duty. I hope when you see a terrorist in Israel, you would shoot first before questioning.

8. You're very welcome!

9. You have given me an idea, and I am going to change it to $(2 \cdot n)$ on $\mathbb{Z}$.

Will it work this time?

10. Your operation has to be defined for every $a,b \in \mathbb{Z}$. What you're suggesting is not a binary operation - rather a function $f:\mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{Z}$, $f(n) = 2^n$.

A binary operation can be looked at as a function
$\cdot : G \times G \to G$.

For example, the binary operation in the example you saw, $a * b = a^b$ can be looked at as $* : \mathbb{N} \times \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{N}, ~ *(a,b) = a^b$

Another example for a binary operation: Take $\mathbb{Z}_n = \{0,1,...,n-1 \}$ and define $a * b = a + b ~ (mod ~ n)$.