Magma (algebra) - Free Magma

A free magma on a set is the "most general possible" magma generated by the set (that is there are no relations or axioms imposed on the generators; see free object). It can be described, in terms familiar in computer science, as the magma of binary trees with leaves labeled by elements of . The operation is that of joining trees at the root. It therefore has a foundational role in syntax.

A free magma has the universal property such that, if is a function from the set to any magma, then there is a unique extension of to a morphism of magmas

See also: free semigroup, free group, Hall set

Read more about this topic:  Magma (algebra)

Famous quotes containing the word free:

    The poor, stupid, free American citizen! Free to starve, free to tramp the highways of this great country, he enjoys universal suffrage, and by that right, he has forged chains around his limbs. The reward that he receives is stringent labor laws prohibiting the right of boycott, of picketing, of everything, except the right to be robbed of the fruits of his labor.
    Emma Goldman (1869–1940)