Exercise · ZW-UNIT-OF-A-RING-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

If \(u\) and \(v\) are units of a commutative ring with identity, which of these elements is also a unit?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. \(uv\)

Explanation

If \(u^{-1}\) and \(v^{-1}\) are the inverses, then \(uv\) has inverse \(v^{-1}u^{-1}\). Sums and differences fail: in \(\mathbb{Z}\), \(1+1=2\) and \(1-1=0\) are not units.

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Review the concept: Unit of a ring

A unit of a ring \(R\) with identity \(1\) is an element \(u\) that has a multiplicative inverse \(v\) within \(R\).

\[uv=vu=1\]

More practice problems: unit of a ring

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