AKRONG SERIES

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MATHEMATICS

CHAPTER THREE
Binary Operations

3.1 Introduction
In this section, we consider operations on a non-empty set “R” consisting of real
numbers, by which we combine any two numbers x, y  R to produce another number.
For instance, one element of N, the set {0, 1, 2 …}, may be added to another element of
that set to produce a third number, e.g. 2 + 5 = 7. Mathematical operation of addition (+)
has been performed on the numbers 2 and 5 to produce 7. Addition (+) is said to be a
binary operation on the set N of natural numbers because it combines two elements of the
set to produce a third number. Other basic operations that we are familiar with are
subtraction (–), multiplication (), division (), intersection () and union (). Apart

we might define a binary operation  on the set R of real numbers by

from these basic operations, we can devise many other binary operations. For instance,

a  b = 2a + b + ab

(a) 3  5 = 2(3) + 5 + 3(5) = 6 + 5 + 15 = 26,

so that

(b) 13 * 32       
= 2 13  32  13 32 = 231
3 2 2
= 8.
3

A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by

Example 3.1

a  b = 22a  b , where a, b  R.
a  2
Evaluate: (a) 2  3, (b) 3  2.

Solution
2(2)  3 2(3)  2
(a) 2  3 = (b) 3  2 =
2 2 32  2
2
= 1, = 4.
6 11

The operation  is defined on the set S = {1, 3, 5} by Table 3.1 below

Example 3.2


Table 3.1
1 3 5
1 3 1 5
3 1 3 5
5 5 5 5

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Evaluate: (a) (3  1)  5, (b) 3  (1  5).

(a) (3  1)  5 = 1  5 = 5, (b) 3  (1  5) = 3  5 = 5.
Solution

1. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by

Exercise 3(a)

a  b  a  b  2ab , where a, b  R.
Evaluate: (a) 2  3, (b) – 4  5, (c) 2  3  (–4)
2. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
x  y = 3x + 2y – xy, where x, y R
Evaluate: (a) 4  2, (b) 2  4.

3. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by a  b = ab,

a, b  0. Calculate: (a) 2  3, (b) 3  2, (c) 4  (–1).

b a

4. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by m * n = m + n – 1 mn

2
Find: (a) 4 * 6, (b) 3 * 2, (c) 1 * 1 .
2 4

5. The operation  is defined on the set R of positive real numbers by a  b = a  b .

a b
2 2

Evaluate: (a) 2  3, (b) 1  4, (c) 1  1.

2 4

x * y = xy2 + x2y where x, y  R

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

Evaluate: (a) 2 * 4, (b) 5 * (–2).

3.2 Closure
Suppose the binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a * b = a + b + 2ab..Then for any two real numbers x and y, when they are combined
using the binary operation *, that is x * y = x + y + 2xy, the result is always another real
number. For example, 3 and 4 are two distinct real numbers. When they are combined,
the result, that is 3 * 4 = 3 + 4 + 2(3)(4) = 31, is also a real number. The set R is therefore
said to be closed under the binary operation *.

Definition 3.1 (Closure)

two elements a, b  R, a * b produces an element which belongs to R. That is,

A set R is said to be closed with respect to a binary operation * if for any

a * b  R for all a, b  R.

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Example 3.3

a * b = a + b + 2ab. 2, 3  T but 2 * 3 = 2 + 3 + 2(2)(3) = 17  T. Even though 2 and 3

Supposing the binary operation * is defined on the set T = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} by

are both elements of T, however 3 * 2 = 17 does not belong to the set T. Hence we can
conclude that the set T is not closed under the operation *.

Example 3.4
Table 3.2 defines the operation  on the set S = {a, b, c, d}.
The set S is closed with respect to  since when any two elements  a b
Table 3.2
c d

for any pair of elements x, y  S  x  y  S.

of S are combined, the result is always an element of S. That is, a b d a c

a  b  S, a  c  S, a  d  S,
b d c b a

b  c  S, b  d  S, c  d  S.
c a b c d
d c a d b

3.3 Properties of binary operation

Several properties of binary operation have well established names. Three of these
properties are commutative operation, associative operation and distributive operations.

3.3.1 Commutative operations

Addition (+) and multiplication () are both commutative since for all a, b  R,
a + b = b + a and a  b = b  a. The union () and the intersection () are both
commutative since for any two sets A and B, A  B = B  A and A  B = B  A.

Definition 3.2 (Commutative operation)

A binary operation * defined on a set “R” of real numbers is said to be
commutative if a * b = b * a , for all a , b R.

Example 3.5
The operation * is defined on the set of real numbers R by a * b = a + b + 2ab.
Show that * is commutative.

Solution
a * b = a + b + 2ab……….(1)
b * a = b + a + 2ba
= a + b + 2ab ……… (2)
From (1) and (2), a * b = b * a for all a , b  R. Hence the operation * is commutative.
[Since ba = ba and b + a = a + b]

The operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by x  y = x – y + 3xy.

Example 3.6

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x  y = x – y + 3xy ……………………………………………………………(1)
Solution

y  x = y – x + 3yx ……………………………………………………………(2)
Since subtraction is not commutative it follows that x – y  y – x and therefore
x  y  y  x. Hence the operation  is not commutative.

Refer to Table 3.2. The operation  is commutative on the set S since for every pair of
Example 3.7

elements x, y  S, x  y = y  x. That is,

a  b = b  a = d, a  c = c  a = a, a  d = d  a = c,
b  c = c  b = b, b  d = d  b = a, c  d = d  c = d.

Addition (+) and multiplication () are both associative since for all a, b, c  R,
3.3.2 Associative operations

(a + b) + c = b + (a + c) and (a  b)  c = b  (a  c). The union () and the

(A  B)  C = A  (B  C) and (A  B)  C = A  (B  C).
intersection () are also associative since for any three sets A, B and C,

Definition 3.3 (Associative operation)

A binary operation * defined on a closed set R is said to be associative if for every
a, b, c, R, (a * b) * c = a * (b * c).

Example 3.8
The operation  is defined over the set of real numbers “R” by a  b = a  b  12 ab. Find
(a) (2  3)  4, (b) 6  (2  5).

2  3  12 (2)(3)  4
Solution
(i) (2  3)  4 = [Note: 2  3  12 (2)(3) = 8]
8  4 = 8  4  12 (8)(4) = 28.

 
=
(i) 6  (2  5) = 6  2  5  12 (2)(5) [Note: 2  5  12 (2)(5) = 12]
= 6  12 = 6  12  12 (6)(12) = 54.

Example 3.9
Show that the operation * defined over the set of real numbers “R” is associative, where
a * b = a + b + ab.

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Solution
(a * b) * c = (a + b + ab) * c
= (a + b + ab) + c + (a + b + ab)c
= a + b + ab + c + ac + bc + abc
= a + b + c + ab + ac + bc + abc……………………………...(1)
a * (b * c) = a * (b + c + bc)
= a + (b + c + bc) + a(b + c + bc)
= a + b + c + bc + ab + ac + abc

Comparing (1) and (2) it follows that (a * b) * c = a * (b * c ) for all a , b , c  R.

= a + b + c + ab + ac + bc + abc……………………………...(2)

Hence the operation * is associative.

3.3.3 Distributive operations

Definition 3.4 (Distributive operations)
Let * and  be two binary operations both defined on the closed set “R”
consisting of real numbers. We say the operation * is distributive over  if for all
a, b, c  R, a * (b  c) = (a * b)  (a * c).

a  (b + c) = (a  b) + (a  c) written as a(b + c) = ab + ac.

For example, multiplication () is distributive over addition (+) since for all a, b, c R

The operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by a  b = ab + a.

Example 3.10

Determine whether or not the operation  is associative.

(a  b)  c = (ab + a)  c = (ab + a)c + (ab + a) = abc + ac + ab + a

Solution

= a + ab + ac + abc ……………………………………………………(1)
a  (b  c) = a  (bc + b) = a(bc + b) + a = abc + ab + a
= a + ab + abc …………………………………………………………(2)
From (1) and (2) (a  b)  c  a  (b  c) and therefore the operation  is not associative.

The operation  is defined on the set of non-zero rational numbers by

Example 3.11

a  b = a b.
Determine whether  is;
ab
(a) commutative, (b) associative. June 1998.

Solution
(a) Let Q denote the set of non-zero rational numbers.

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The operation  is commutative if for all a , b  Q, a  b = b  a

a  b = ab and b  a = b  a.
ab ba

a  b = b  a. Hence the operation  is commutative.

Since addition (+) and multiplication () are both commutative it follows that

(b) The operation  is said to be associative if for all a , b, c  Q,

 a ab b   c =
(a  b)  c = a  (b  c)
a  b  abc
a  b  abc
 a ab b  c
(a  b)  c = a b c =
( a  b )c ac  bc
ab = .....................(1)

a   b bc =
ab

c
ab
abc  b  c
abc  b  c
a  b bc 
a  (b  c ) = a  b  c =
c a (b  c ) ab  ac
bc = …………...(2)
bc

It follows from (1) and (2) that (a  b)  c  a  (b  c) hence the

bc

operation  is not associative.

Example 3.12
Table 3.3 defines the operation  on the set

Table 3.3
Y = {r, s, t, u} r s t u

(a) (u  r )  (t  s) = p,
Find p and q if; r s u r t

(b) (q  r)  (t  u) = s.
s u t s r
t r s t u
u t r u s
Solution
(a) (u  r)  (t  s) = p  t  s = p  s = p.

(b) We substitute q = r, s, t, u in the equation (q  r)  (t  u) = s to find which of them

Hence p = s.

satisfies it. Only ‘s’ satisfies the equation and thus forms the root. That is:
(s  r)  (t  u) = u  u = s.
Hence q = s.

Example 3.13
A binary operation  is defined on the set

Table 3.4

a  b = a + b – ab, where a, b  T.
T = {1, 2, 3, 4} by 1 2 3 4
1 1 1 1 1
–1 –2
(ii) Is T closed with respect to ?
(a) (i) Copy and complete Table 3.4. 2 1
–1
(b) Evaluate (2  3)  4. June 1994.
3 1
4 1 –2 –8

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Solution


Table 3.5
(a) (i) The completed table is as shown in 1 2 3 4
(ii) T is not closed with respect to  since
Table 3.5.
1 1 1 1 1
there exist a, b  T such that a  b  T
2 1 0 –1 –2
For example 3  4 = –5 T
3 1 –1 –3 –5
(b) (2  3)  4 = –1  4 4 1 –2 –5 –8
= –1 + 4 – (–1) (4) = 7.
 

A binary operation  is defined on the set T  {2, 3, 4, 5}

Example 3.14

by a  b  3a  2b  ab, where a, b  T .  2 3
Table 3.6
4 5

(b) Show whether or not T is closed under .

(a) Copy and complete Table 3.6. 2 6 6 6 6

(c) Evaluate (3  4)  (3  5). June 2005.

3 6 4

Ans: (b) T is not closed, (b) (3  4)  (3  5) = 3.

4 4 2
5 9 6 3 0

Example 3.15

a * b  a  b  2, where a, b  S.
A binary operation * is defined on set S = {2, 3, 5, 7} by
 2 3
Table 3.7
5 7
(a) Copy and complete Table 3.7. 2 2 3 5 7
(b) (i) Show whether or not S is closed under *. 3 3 4 8
(ii) Evaluate 3 * (2 * 5). Nov. 2006. 5 5 8
Ans: (b) (i) S is not closed under *, (ii) 3 * (2 * 5) = 6.
7 7 8 10

A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by

Example 3.16

a  b = a2 – 2ab + b2, where a, b  R

Find (a) r such that 2  (–5) = r .
( x  1)  x
(b) , x  0, simplifying your results as far as possible. June 2000.
x

(a) Given a  b = a2 – 2ab + b2,

Solution

2  (–5) = 22  2(2)(5)  (5)2  4  20  25  49.

 r = 49  r  492  2, 401.
( x  1)  x ( x  1)2  2( x  1)( x)  x 2
  x  2x  1  2x  2x  x  1 .
2 2 2
(b)
x x x x

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Example 3.17
A binary operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by a * b  a  b 2. Compute

(a) 2*1,
each of the following, leaving your answers in surd form:
(b) 3*(2*3). Nov. 2001.
Ans: (a) 2  2, (b) 9  2 2.

The binary operation  is defined by m  n  1  m  n  .

Example 3.18

(a) Form a table of the operation  on the set T = {2, 4, 6}.

2

(b) State with reason whether or not  is

(i) close under T, (ii) commutative under T. Nov. 2002.

A binary operation * is defined on the set R, of real numbers by p * q  p 2  q 2  pq.

Example 3.19

(b) Evaluate 2*7. Nov. 2003.

(a) Determine whether or not * is commutative.

Ans. (a) * is commutative, (b) 67.

The binary operation * and  are defined on the set R, of real numbers by
Example 3.20

a * b  2a  ab and x  y  x  y  xy
respectively, where a, b, x, y  R.
(a) Determine whether or not  is commutative.
(b) Evaluate (3 * 2)  (5  3). June 2006.
Ans: (a)  is commutative, (b) 89.

Example 3.21
A binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a*b = ab where a, b  R and a, b  0
   3  2 ,
b a
(a) (i) Calculate 3 2  2 3 *
(ii) Deduce the value of  3  2 * 3 2  2 3  .
(b) (i) If x * y = 1, show that y = 12  x  x 5 
(ii) Hence find the values of y for which 4  2 5  * y = 1, giving your answer in
the form  p  q r  where p, q and r are rational numbers.

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  
Solution
3 2 2 3 3  2
(a) (i) 3 2  2 3 * 3 2 = 
3  2 3 2 2 3

3 2 2 3 3 2  2 3  3  2  = 3 6  6  6  2 6 = 6 .
3  2  3  2  3  2  32
=

3  2  3  2  3 2  2 3 
= 3 6  6  6  2 6 = 6.
3 2 2 3 3 2  2 3  3 2  2 3  18  12

  
=
6

 3 2 2 3 * 3 2 = 3 2  2 3  3  2

  
3  3 2 2 3
6
= 6– = 5 6.
2 6 6
3  2
3 2 * 3 2 2 3 = 3 2  2 3 = 6 =  5 6.
3 2 2 3 3  2
6
(ii) –
6 6
x2  y 2
   = 1 
y 2 2
(b) (i) x * y = 1 x =1 x – y = xy
 x – y2 – xy = 0 
y x xy
2 2 2
y + xy – x = 0 [which is a quadratic in y]
2
A = 1, b = x, c = –x .
b  b2  4ac x  x 2  4(1)(  x 2 )
= x  x2  4 x2
= x  5x

  …………………………………………………………(1)
2
y = = .
2a 2(1) 2 2
1 x  x 5 .

 5  * y = 1  x = 4  2 5 
=
2

(ii) 4  2

   
y = 1  4  2 5  4  2 5 5  = 1  4  2 5  4 5  10   
Therefore from (1), we have

2  2 
y1 =  4  2 5  4 5  10 =
1 1 14  6 5 = 7  3 5.  
1  4  2 5  4 5  10 = 1 6  2 5  = 3  5.
2 2

2 2
y2 =

The binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by

Example 3.22

m  p
2 2
= m + p – mp
Find: (a) 4  3,
(b) x such that x  y = y. Stating the range of values of y for which x is defined.
June 1995.

(a) Given m  p = m + p – mp, for all m , p  R

Solution
2 2

4  3 = 4 + 3 – 4  3 = 16 + 9 – 12 = 13.
2 2

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x  y = y  x + y – xy = y 
2 2 2 2
(b) x – yx + y – y = 0
This is a quadratic equation in x, where
2
a = 1, b = –y, c = y – y
y  (  y )2  4(1)( y 2  y ) y  4 y 3 y 2
x = b  b  4ac =
2
= .
2a 2(1) 2

4y – 3y  0  3y – 4y  0  y(3y – 4)  0
x is defined if
2 2

 
y =0 or y = 4
3
Hence the range of values of y for which x is defined is y : 0  y  4 .
3

An operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by a  b = a + b – 2ab

Example 3.23
2 2

  
(a) Evaluate 3  1 and 1  3.
12 12

(b) Use your result in (i) to evaluate 3 1 1  3 .

(c) Find the truth set of 2  a = 9.
12 12

     2
Solution

3 1  3 1 3 1  2 3
2 2
(a) = 3 1 =
12 12 12 12 12
37  2 1 = 37  1 = 25 .

   
= 12 4 12 12

1  3 1  3 2 3
 2  1  3 = 12
2 3
= 1 3
12 12 12 12

  
37  2 1 = 37  1 = 25 .

 1225    1225 
= 12 4 12 12

3 1 1  3 = 25  25 =  2  25  25
2 2
(b)
12 12 12 12 12 12

=  
625 625 625 =

625 625 = 0.
(c) 2  a = 9  2 + a – 2(2)(a) = 9  4 + a – 4a = 9  a – 4a – 5 = 0
144 144 72 72 72
2 2 2 2

 (a + 1)(a – 5) = 0  a = –1 or a = 5.
The truth set = {a: a = –1, 5}.

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Exercise 3(b)
1. The operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by a * b 
a b
a , where
a + b  0. Determine whether or not the operation is:
(a) commutative, (b) associative.
2. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a  b = a2 – 4ab + b2, where a, b  R
(a) 2  3, (b) 3  2, (c) (1  2)  3.
3. A binary operation  is defined on the set T = {1, 2, 3, 4} by
a  b = a + b – ab, where a, b  T.
(a) (i) Copy and complete the table below.

 1 2 3 4
1 1 1 1 1
2 1 –1 –2
3 1 –1
4 1 –2 –8

(b) Evaluate (2  3)  4.
(ii) Is T closed with respect to?

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

a  b = a + b –5ab
where a, b  R and R is closed under . Determine whether or not, the operation  is
(a) commutative, (b) associative.

a ° b = 2a + 3b – ab, where a, b  R and a , b  0

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

Evaluate: (a) 4 ° 5, (b) –2 ° 6, (c) (1 ° 2) ° 3, (d) 1 ° (2 ° 3).

6. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a  b = ab , where a, b  R
a b
Determine whether or not, the operation  is commutative
(a) Calculate (i) a  (b  c) (ii) (a  b)  c and then determine whether or not the
operation  is associative.

(x  1) + (x  2 ) = 1  2.
(b) Find, correct to 2 decimal places, the truth set of the equation

  
7. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by x * y = x2 – y2.
Calculate 2  3 * 4  3 .

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3.4 Identity and inverse elements

Definition 3.5 (Identity or neutral elements)
A set R is said to have an identity element “e” with respect to a binary operation
*, if for every element a  R , a * e = e * a = a.

The element “e” is therefore referred to as an identity or neutral element under *.

The identity element under addition (+) is ‘0’ since for all a  R, a + 0 = 0 + a = a
The identity element under multiplication () is ‘1’ since for all a  R, a  1 = 1  a = a
[Note: A set “R” has an identity element “e” if and only if the binary operation * is
commutative.]

Example 3.24
The operation * is defined over the set R of real numbers by a * b = a + b + 2ab.
Find the identity element under the operation *.

Let e  R be the identity element under the operation *. It then follows that for every
Solution

element a  R, a * e = e * a = a. Solving for e we have

a * e = a  a + e + 2ae = a
e + 2ae = a – a = 0
e(1 + 2a) = 0

1  2a
e= 0 = 0.
Hence the identity element under * is 0.

Definition 3.6 (Inverse element)

The element a–1  R is said to be the inverse element of a  R under the operation
* with identity element e if a * a–1 = a–1 * a = e.

The inverse of the element a under addition (+) is (–a) since a + (–a) = 0.
The inverse of the element a under multiplication () is 1 since a  1 = 1.
a a

Example 3.25
.Table 3.8 below defines the operation  on the set
 a b
Table 3.8
S = {a, b, c, d}. The identity element in the set S is ‘c’ since
for every element x  S, x  c = c  x = x, That is
c d
a b d a c
a  c = c  a = a, b  c = c  b = b, b d c b a
c  c = c  c = c, d  c = c  d = d. c a b c d
It therefore follows that: d c a d b

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a  d = c},
b  b = c},
(i) the inverse of a=d {since

c  c = c},
(ii) the inverse of b=b {since

d  a = c}.
(iii) the inverse of c=c {since
(iv) the inverse of d=a {since

Example 3.26

a * b = a + b + 2ab; for all a, b  R.

The operation * is defined over the set R of real numbers by

Find the inverse under * of a general element a  R and state which element has no
inverse. Determine the inverses of 2 and 3.

For a  R, let a–1  R be the inverse. From Example 3.25, the identity element is e = 0
Solution

 a * a–1 = a–1 * a = e = 0.
a * a–1 = 0
a + a–1 + 2aa–1 = 0
a–1 + 2aa–1 = –a
a–1(1 + 2a) = –a
a–1 = a .
1  2a
The inverse expression a–1 becomes undefined when the denominator is zero.
That is, a–1 is not real when 1 + 2a = 0  a   12 . Hence  12 has no inverse.
2 =  2.
1  2(2)
The inverse of 2 =
5
3 =  3.
1  2(3)
The inverse of 3 =
7

A binary operation  is defined on the set of real numbers R by

Example 3.27

a  b = a + b –5ab
where a, b  R and R is closed under . Find under , the
(a) identity element (b) inverse of  14 . June 2001.
Ans: (a) 0 (b) 1 .
9

A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by

Example 3.28

m  n = m + n + 10

(b) the inverses of 2 and (–5) under . June 1993.

Find: (a) the identity element;

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(a) If e is the identity element R, then for every a  R,

Solution

a  e = a  a + e + 10 = a  e + 10 = a – a  e + 10 = 0
 e = –10.
Hence the identity element is –10.
(b) For every a  R, there exist a–1R such that
a  a–1 = e  a + a–1 + 10 = –10  a + a–1 = –20
 a = –20 – a.
–1

Inverse of 2 is –20 – 2 = –22.

Inverse of (–5) is –20 – (–5) = –20 + 5 = –15.

The operation  is defined on the set T = {0, 1, 2, 3} by a  b  a  b , where a  b

Example 3.29

denotes the magnitude of a – b. State with reasons whether or not

(a) the set (T) is closed under the operation , (b) the operation  is commutative,
(c) there is an identity element, (c) each element has an inverse.

A table of values which defines the operation  on the set T is given in Table 3.9 below.
Solution

Table 3.9
 0 1 2 3
0 0 1 2 3
1 1 0 1 2
2 2 1 0 1
3 3 2 1 0

operation , the result is an element of T. That is,

(a) From the table it is clear that whenever any two elements in T are combined under the

0  1 = 1  T, 1  3 = 2  T, 2  3 = 1  T etc.
Hence the set T is closed with respect to the operation .

0  1 = 1  0 = 1, 0  2 = 2  0 = 2, 0  3 = 3  0 = 0,
(b) It can be seen from Table 3.9 that

1  2 = 2  1 = 1, 1  3 = 3  1 = 2, 2  3 = 3  2 = 1.
Hence the operation  is commutative.
(c) From the Table 3.9, whenever the element ‘0’ is combined to other element it gives

0  0 = 0, 0  1 = 1, 0  2 = 2, 0  3 = 3, 0  4 = 4.
the same element. That is,

Therefore ‘0’ is the identity element under .

(d) Whenever an element is combined with its inverse it gives the identity element. We
know from (c) that the identity element is ‘0’. For example the inverse of 3 is 3

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since 3  3 = 0. Similarly the inverse of 0 is 0, the inverse of 1 is 1 and the inverse of

2 is 2. Each element is the inverse of itself.

Example 3.30
Table 3.10 shows the operation  on the set
 a b c
Table 3.10
{a, b, c, d}. d
Use it to answer the following questions. a b c a d
(a) State the identity element. b c d b a
(b) Find the inverse of the elements a and d. c a b c d
(c) State whether or not the operation is d d a d c

Ans: (a) The identity element is c. (b) a1  b, d 1  d , (c)  is commutative.

commutative. June 2004.

Example 3.31
A binary operation * is defined on the set, R of real numbers by a * b  a  b  3 ,
a, b  R. Find:
4

(a) the identity element of the operation; (b) the inverse of a real number x.
(c) the inverse of 2 . June 2003.
Ans. (a)  3 , (b) x 1   3  x, (c) the inverse of 2 is  19 .
3

4 4 3 10

A binary operation * is defined on the set R, of real numbers by x * y  x  y  6, where

Example 3.32

x, y  R.
(a) Calculate 3*(5*2).
(b) Determine whether or not the operation * (i) is commutative, (ii) is associative.

Ans: (a) 3*(5*2)  16, (b) (i) * is commutative, (ii) * is associative, (b) 6.
(c) Find the identity element of the operation *. Nov. 2004.

Exercise 3(c)
1. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by x * y = x + y – 2xy.

(b) Determine the inverse under * of an element x  R, stating the element of x for
(a) Find the identity element e of R under the operation *.

which no inverse exists.

x * y = x + y – 2xy, where x, y  R.
2. An operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by

(a) Calculate 2 * 3 * (–4)

(b) Find the identity element e under the operation *.

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(c) Determine the inverse of a general element c  R, stating the element for which
no inverse exists.
3. An operation  is defined over the set R of real numbers by
x  y = x + y + xy
(a) Find the neutral element e under the operation.

y, such that y  x = e
(b) Determine whether or not, to each real number x, there corresponds a real number

(c) Find y such that (x  y)  x = 3. Stating the values of x for which there is no

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

such y.

p  q = p + q – pq , where p, q  R.

(a) the identity element e of the operation .

Find:

(b) the inverse of the general element x  R, stating the value for which no inverse
exists.

  
5. A binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by
p * q = p + q – 2 , where p, q  R.
(a) Evaluate 2  1  2  1
(b) Find: (i) the identity element, e of R under *, (ii) the inverse p–1 of p,
(iii) the inverse of 2 2 .

p * q = p + q – 2, where p, q  R.
6. A binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by

(a) Show that * is associative

(b) Find: (i) identity element, e of R under *, (ii) the inverse p–1 of p,
(iii) the inverse of 4.
7. A binary operation  is defined on the set T = {0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} by
a  b = a + b – ab, where a, b  T.
(a) Determine whether or not  is closed under T.
(b) Find: (i) the identity element, e of T under , (ii) the inverse of 2.
8. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a * b = a + b – 1 where a, b  R.
Find the inverse of the real number y.
9. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by

  
m * n = m + n – 12 mn
(a) Calculate 1  3 * 1  3 , (b) Find:
(i) the identity element under *, (ii) inverse of the general element a,
(iii) the inverse of –1 under *.

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10. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by x * y = x + y – 7xy.

(a) Determine whether or not * is commutative .

(c) Determine the inverse under * of an element x  R, stating which element of x

(b) Find the identity element e of R under the operation *

for which no inverse exists.

11. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
x y
x  y = , (xy  -1)
1  xy
(a) Is the set R closed under the operation  ?
(b) Is the operation  commutative?
(c) Find the identity element for the operation  .
(d) Does each element of R have an inverse under the operation .
12. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a  b = a + b – 2ab, where a , b,R.
(a) Calculate (5 – 3 2 )  (6 + 5 2 ), giving your answer in the form m + n 2

(b) Determine whether or not the operation  is commutative.

where m and n are rational numbers.

(d) Find the inverse of a general element a  R, and state which element of R has no
(c) Find the identity element e of R under the operation.

inverse.
13. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by
x * y = x + y + 8xy.
(a) Determine whether or not * is commutative .

(c) Determine the inverse under * of an element x  R, stating the element of x

(b) Find the identity element e of R under the operation *

for which no inverse exists.

14. The operation * is defined on R, the set of real numbers by x * y = 3xy
(a) Determine whether or not the operation * is associative
(b) Find the identity element on R.
(c) Find the inverse of x under the operation *.

Revision Exercises 3
1. An operation * is defined on the set Z of integers by x * y = x + y + 3xy.
(a) Construct a table for this operation on the set S = {–1, 0, 1, 2}.
(b) Find, from your table, a number b  S, such that c * b = c for all c  S.

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

x  y = 3x + 2y – xy, where x, y R.

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(a) Find z such that x  z = x

(b) State the value of x for which z is not defined.
3. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a  b = 2a + 3b – ab, where a, b  R and a , b  0
(a) Determine whether or not, the operation  is

(b) Find y such that x  y = x, stating the value of x for which there is no such y.
(i) commutative, (ii) associative.

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

x  y = xy + 2, where x, y  R.

(a) the truth set of 4  (2  x) = 58

Find:

(b) the element y such that x  y = x, stating the value of x for which there is no such
y.
5. The binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
m  p
2 2
= m + p – mp
Find: (a) 4  3
(b) x such that x  y = y. Stating the range of values of y for which x is
defined.
6. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by
x * y = x2 – y2.

  
(a) Determine whether or not * is commutative .
(b) Calculate 2  3 * 4  3
(c) Find x such that (i) x * 3 = 7, (ii) (2 – x) * (3 – 5x) = –3.

a * b = a + b + 2ab, where a, b  R.
7. An operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by

(a) Calculate (2 * 3) * 5
(b) Find the truth set of the equation (a * 7) = (a * 5) + (a * 2)
(c) If a * b = 0, express b in terms of a and state the largest possible domain of b.
8. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
ab =  , where a, b  R and a, b  0

   
a b
b a
(a) Calculate 5 2  4 3  5 2  4 3 .
(b) Determine whether or not the operation  is associative.
(c) Find the truth set of (x + 1)  (x – 1) = 3 13 .

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9. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by

x y
x  y = , where x, y  R
1  xy
(a) Is the operation  associative? (b) Simplify 1  x.
(c) Hence or otherwise, find the value of
1  2  3 ….. (n – 2)  (n – 1)  n, where n is a positive integer.
10. A binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by
x * y = xy2 + x2y where x, y  R
(a) Evaluate: –2 * (3 * 1). (b) Find x such that 3 * x = 30.
11. A binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a * b = 2a + b, where a, b  R.
(a) Determine whether or not R is closed under *. (b) Find –2 * 3.
12. The operation * is defined on the set S = {1, 3, 5} by the table below.
* 1 3 5
1 3 1 5
3 1 3 5
5 5 5 5
(a) State the identity element for *. (b) Which element has no inverse
(c) Evaluate (3 * 1) * (5 * 3).
13. An operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
x  y = x + y – 3xy
(a) Determine whether or not the operation  is commutative.
(b) Find the neutral element e under the operation
(c) Determine whether or not, to each real number x, there corresponds a real number
y, such that y  x = e.
(d) Find y such that (x  y)  x = –6xy – 18x2y.
14. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a  b = (a – b)2, where a , b  R
(a) Determine whether or not, the operation  is commutative
(b) Calculate (i) a  (b  c) (ii) (a  b)  c and then determine whether or not the
operation  is associative.
(c) Find, correct to 2 decimal places, the truth set of the equation

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(x  2) + (3  x ) = 25.

 2
15. A binary operation * is defined on the set P of non-negative real numbers by
x*y = x  y , where x, y  P.
(a) Calculate:
(i) 24 * 8, leaving your answer as a surd in its simplest form.
(ii) r * r, r  R
(b) Show that * is commutative.
16. A binary operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by
a  b =  , where a, b  R and a , b  0
b a

(a) Determine whether or not, the operation  is (i) commutative, (ii) associative.
a b

(b) Find x such that (x  y) = 2.

17. A binary operation is defined on the set R of real numbers by

a * b = a  , where a, b  R and b  0.
a

     
b
Calculate: (a) 3  2 5 * 3  8 5 , (b) 3  2 5 * 1  3 5 .
 
(c) The value of b such that 3  2 5 * (b)  25  9 5 .

18. The operation  is defined on the set R of positive real numbers by

a2  b2
ab=
ab
.

Determine whether or not the operation  is (a) commutative, (b) associative.

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