Extended Real Number Line - Algebraic Properties

Algebraic Properties

With these definitions R is not a field and not even a ring. However, it still has several convenient properties:

  • a + (b + c) and (a + b) + c are either equal or both undefined.
  • a + b and b + a are either equal or both undefined.
  • a × (b × c) and (a × b) × c are either equal or both undefined.
  • a × b and b × a are either equal or both undefined
  • a × (b + c) and (a × b) + (a × c) are equal if both are defined.
  • if ab and if both a + c and b + c are defined, then a + cb + c.
  • if ab and c > 0 and both a × c and b × c are defined, then a × cb × c.

In general, all laws of arithmetic are valid in R as long as all occurring expressions are defined.

Read more about this topic:  Extended Real Number Line

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