Let * be a binary operation on Q0 (Set of non – zero rational numbers) defined by a * b = 3ab/5 for all a, b Q0.

Show that * is commutative as well as associative. Also, find its identity element, if it exists.

We are given with the set Q0 which is the set of non - zero rational numbers.


A general binary operation is nothing but association of any pair of elements a, b from an arbitrary set X to another element of X. This gives rise to a general definition as follows:


A binary operation * on a set is a function * : A X A A. We denote * (a, b) as a * b.


Here the function*:
For the ‘ * ’ to be commutative, a * b = b * a must be true for all a, b Q0. Let’s check.



a * b = b * a (as shown by 1 and 2)


Hence ‘ * ’ is commutative on Q0


For the ‘ * ’ to be associative, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c must hold for every a, b, c Q0.






3. = 4.


Hence ‘ * ’ is associative on Q0


Identity Element: Given a binary operation*: A X A A, an element e A, if it exists, is called an identity of the operation*, if a*e = a = e*a a A.


Let e be the identity element of Q0.


Therefore, a * e = a (a Q0)





iii. Given a binary operation with the identity element e in A, an element a A is said to be invertible with respect to the operation, if there exists an element b in A such that a * b = e = b * a and b is called the inverse of a and is denoted by a–1.


Let us proceed with the solution.


Here the function*


Let b Q0 be the invertible elements in Q0 of a, where a Q0.


a * b = e (We know the identity element from previous)






2