# Math Help - Abstract Algebra: Groups

1. ## Abstract Algebra: Groups

honorable mathematicians,

I was asked to verify that the set $H = \{ f : f: \mathbb{R} \mapsto \mathbb{R} \mbox{ and } f(x) \ne 0 \mbox{ for all } x \in \mathbb{R} \}$ is a group with respect to multiplication. i did that, no problem. but then the question asks, "How does this group differ from the group of invertible (real) mappings?"

i have no idea what this question wants from me...

Thanks

2. Originally Posted by Jhevon
honorable mathematicians,

I was asked to verify that the set $H = \{ f : f: \mathbb{R} \mapsto \mathbb{R} \mbox{ and } f(x) \ne 0 \mbox{ for all } x \in \mathbb{R} \}$ is a group with respect to multiplication. i did that, no problem. but then the question asks, "How does this group differ from the group of invertible (real) mappings?"

i have no idea what this question wants from me...

Thanks

Both the set and the group operation are different.

The first group includes things like f(x)=sin(x)+2, which is not invertible.
While the second includes f(x)=x, which is not in the set of the first group.

Also the group operation for the group of invertible real mappings is (usualy
though you have not said so) function composition, that is (f o g)(x)=f(g(x)).

RonL

3. A question: does the "invertible" there the same as the existence of the inverse of f?

4. Originally Posted by CaptainBlack
Both the set and the group operation are different.

The first group includes things like f(x)=sin(x)+2, which is not invertible.
While the second includes f(x)=x, which is not in the set of the first group.

Also the group operation for the group of invertible real mappings is (usualy
though you have not said so) function composition, that is (f o g)(x)=f(g(x)).

RonL

Oh yes nearly forgot, the first is Abelian (commutative) and the second is not.

(and so cannot be isomorphic)

RonL

5. Originally Posted by CaptainBlank
Abelian
For some strange reason nobody ever capitalizes and instead writes abelian. All other algebraic and not even algebraic concepts are always capitalized: Noetherian, Artinian, Lagrangian mechanics, Newtonian fluid, .... I assume it is an error that has remained through the centuries.

6. Originally Posted by ThePerfectHacker
For some strange reason nobody ever capitalizes and instead writes abelian. All other algebraic and not even algebraic concepts are always capitalized: Noetherian, Artinian, Lagrangian mechanics, Newtonian fluid, .... I assume it is an error that has remained through the centuries.
I must say I did not think twice about it, it's named after a person and therefore should be capitalised.

RonL

7. Originally Posted by kalagota
A question: does the "invertible" there the same as the existence of the inverse of f?
yes, i believe so. we defined the inverse of an element a to be an element b such that:

a*b = b*a = identity element

we call b a^{-1}

a similar notion is applied to mappings i suppose...