identity element

1. The element of a set of numbers that when combined with another number under a particular binary operation leaves the second number unchanged. For example, 0 is the identity element under addition for the real numbers, since for any real number a, a + 0 = a, and 1 is the identity element under multiplication for the real numbers, since a × 1 = a.

Example Sentences

Many journalists are great at explaining the electoral part of politics but miss the policy part, or get the politics and policy but not the race and identity element.

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Mathematicians call it the “identity element,” so I’ll denote it by the symbol I. Next come the three genuine ways to flip a mattress. 

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We can summarize this property with the equation RR = I, where RR means do R twice, and I is the do-nothing identity element. 

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