Questions tagged [ring-theory]

A ring $R$ is a triple $(R,+,\cdot)$ where $R$ is a nonempty set such that $(R,+)$ forms an abelian group, $(R,\cdot)$ forms a semigroup, and the two operations are related by the distributive laws: $a\cdot(b+c)=a\cdot b+a\cdot c$ and $(b+c)\cdot a=b\cdot a+c\cdot a$.

Important examples of rings include domains (such as the integers), fields (such as the real numbers), square matrix rings, polynomial rings, and rings of functions. Rings are studied in their own right in abstract algebra, but they are also prominently used in number theory, geometry, algebraic geometry, and logic.

Many authors require the semigroup $(R,\cdot)$ to have an identity, often denoted $1_R$ or $1$. Many other authors do not make that requirement. This difference is something that students and posters should be aware of. Scholars of the former school call the structures not necessarily having a unit element rngs. Scholars of the latter school call $R$ a ring with identity, when $1_R$ exists. This difference of opinions has an impact on the definition of a ring homomorphism. The scholars who include the presence of $1_R$ as an axiom assume that it is preserved under ring homomorphisms. The scholars who don't insist on the existence of $1_R$ obviously cannot make this requirement.

The operation $\cdot$ does not have to be commutative, but when it is, $R$ is called a commutative ring.

There are numerous types of rings studied in different ways. An ideal in a ring is the ring-theoretic analogue of a normal subgroup of a group. The study of ideals is an important component of ring theory.

This tag often goes along with the abstract-algebra and/or set-theory tags.