Exercise 571Algebra › Rings and fieldsHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026
Zero divisors
#zero divisors#examples#rings
Statement
Find all zero divisors in each ring:
(a) ;
(b) ;
(c) .
Hint
is a zero divisor if and there exists with (or ).
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Solution
(a) . , so and are zero divisors. Also . Zero divisors: .
(b) : prime, so every nonzero element is invertible, hence no zero divisors. No zero divisors (field).
(c) : , so non-invertible nonzero matrices are zero divisors.
Conclusion. (a) has zero divisors ; (b) has none; (c) has many (all non-invertible nonzero matrices).