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Exercise 276Algebra › Rings and fieldsHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Checking the ring axioms

#ring axioms#examples#counterexamples

Statement

Determine whether each of the following is a ring under the usual operations:

(a) (Z,+,×)(\mathbb{Z},+,\times);
(b) (2Z,+,×)(2\mathbb{Z},+,\times);
(c) (N,+,×)(\mathbb{N},+,\times);
(d) (R[X],+,×)(\mathbb{R}[X],+,\times);
(e) (Mn(R),+,×)(M_n(\mathbb{R}),+,\times).

Hint

Check: (A,+)(A,+) is an abelian group, multiplication is associative, and distributivity holds. Commutativity of multiplication and existence of a unit are optional.

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Solution

(a) (Z,+)(\mathbb{Z},+) abelian group, multiplication associative and distributive. Unit 11. Commutative ring with unit.

(b) 2Z2\mathbb{Z}: abelian group, closed under multiplication (2a⋅2b=4ab∈2Z2a\cdot2b=4ab\in2\mathbb{Z}), associative and distributive. But no unit (1 is not in 2Z2\mathbb{Z}). Commutative ring without unit (a pseudo-ring).

(c) (N,+)(\mathbb{N},+) is not a group (no additive inverses). Not a ring.

(d) R[X]\mathbb{R}[X]: polynomial addition is an abelian group, multiplication associative/distributive. Unit 11. Commutative ring with unit.

(e) Mn(R)M_n(\mathbb{R}): abelian group under addition, matrix multiplication associative, distributive. Unit InI_n. Non-commutative for n≥2n\ge2. Non-commutative ring with unit.

Conclusion. (a), (d), (e) are rings with unit; (b) is a ring without unit; (c) is not a ring.