Proving that a relation is well-defined

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I know that in general to show a map $f:Xto Y$ is well-defined, we need to show that for any $xin X$, $f(x)=y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ imply that $y_1=y_2$, i.e. each element of $X$ is related to exactly one element of $Y$.



I am reading the proof of theorem 4 on page 56 of Dummit and Foote's Abstract Algebra, 3rd edition. On the second and third lines of the proof, he says we need to show $x^r=x^s$ implies $varphi(x^r)=varphi(x^s)$ in order to prove $varphi$ is well-defined.



How is this logically equivalent to the statement that each element of the domain is related to exactly one element of the range?



I see his argument shows that the map $varphi$ is independent of the specific choice of representative in $langle xrangle$. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?







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    I know that in general to show a map $f:Xto Y$ is well-defined, we need to show that for any $xin X$, $f(x)=y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ imply that $y_1=y_2$, i.e. each element of $X$ is related to exactly one element of $Y$.



    I am reading the proof of theorem 4 on page 56 of Dummit and Foote's Abstract Algebra, 3rd edition. On the second and third lines of the proof, he says we need to show $x^r=x^s$ implies $varphi(x^r)=varphi(x^s)$ in order to prove $varphi$ is well-defined.



    How is this logically equivalent to the statement that each element of the domain is related to exactly one element of the range?



    I see his argument shows that the map $varphi$ is independent of the specific choice of representative in $langle xrangle$. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?







    share|cite|improve this question























      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite
      1









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite
      1






      1





      enter image description here



      I know that in general to show a map $f:Xto Y$ is well-defined, we need to show that for any $xin X$, $f(x)=y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ imply that $y_1=y_2$, i.e. each element of $X$ is related to exactly one element of $Y$.



      I am reading the proof of theorem 4 on page 56 of Dummit and Foote's Abstract Algebra, 3rd edition. On the second and third lines of the proof, he says we need to show $x^r=x^s$ implies $varphi(x^r)=varphi(x^s)$ in order to prove $varphi$ is well-defined.



      How is this logically equivalent to the statement that each element of the domain is related to exactly one element of the range?



      I see his argument shows that the map $varphi$ is independent of the specific choice of representative in $langle xrangle$. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?







      share|cite|improve this question













      enter image description here



      I know that in general to show a map $f:Xto Y$ is well-defined, we need to show that for any $xin X$, $f(x)=y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ imply that $y_1=y_2$, i.e. each element of $X$ is related to exactly one element of $Y$.



      I am reading the proof of theorem 4 on page 56 of Dummit and Foote's Abstract Algebra, 3rd edition. On the second and third lines of the proof, he says we need to show $x^r=x^s$ implies $varphi(x^r)=varphi(x^s)$ in order to prove $varphi$ is well-defined.



      How is this logically equivalent to the statement that each element of the domain is related to exactly one element of the range?



      I see his argument shows that the map $varphi$ is independent of the specific choice of representative in $langle xrangle$. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?









      share|cite|improve this question












      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question








      edited Aug 2 at 21:05









      Chickenmancer

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      asked Aug 2 at 20:45









      kmiyazaki

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          3 Answers
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          "I know that in general to show a map f:X→Y is well-defined, we need to show that for any x∈X, f(x)=y1 and f(x)=y2 imply that y1=y2,




          That's sort of true. But as a definition for being "well-defined" it isn't .... well, defined.



          Let's take a specific example of something that is not well defined:



          For and $n = acdot b; n, a,b in mathbb N$ define $f(ab) = a$. That's obviously not well-defined because if we view $20$ as $1*20$ or $4*5$ or $10*2$ we'll get that maybe $f(1*20) = 1$ but $f(4*5) = 4$ and $f(10*2) = 10$ etc.



          That just doesnt make any sense.



          And that sort of fits your definition.



          $f(20) =1$ and $f(20) = 4$ but $1ne 4$ so not well-defined... except... how can we say $f(20) = 4$, how did we decide that that time it'd pop out a $4$ but the next time $f(20) = 1$ it popped out a $1$? Do we just sit and wait for all of them?



          Thing is $f$ is defined on representations and not actually on the numbers. SO to show something is well defined we must show if $a*b = n$ and $c*d = n$ are two representations of the some number then we must show that it will always be such that $f(a*b) = a$ and $f(c*d) = c$ that $a = c$.



          And, of course, that is bollucks and that is whay it is not well defined.



          On the other hand if something is defined on the number then... it's determined for that number. Period. If $f(n) =K$ then .... $f(n)$ will always be $K$ and it can't be anything else. So if something is defined specifically on the number and not the representation, then the issue of being well defined is not a concern.



          (The nuance, of course, is recognizing when a definition is innate to the number or to the representation.)



          But sometimes a representation definition is okay.



          Two examples (one familiar and one probably taken for granted without question): i) Define $sqrtx$ as the number (if any) so that $y ge 0;$ and $y^2 = x$. This is well defined IF we can show that for any $y^2 = x$ and $y_1^2 = x$ and $yge 0$ and $y_1 ge 0$ then $y= y_1$. And we can prove that. (If $y_1 ne y$ then one is smaller than the other; wolog we'll assume $0 le y_1 < y$. So then $y_1^2 < y^2$. So they aren't equal). So it is well defined.



          ii) for $b > 0$ define $b^q$ for $q in mathbb Q; q = frac nm; n,m in mathbb Z$ as $(sqrt[m]b)^n$. Well if $q = frac nm = frac rs$ how do we know $(sqrt[m]b)^n= (sqrt[s]b)^r$? For example $q =frac 12 = frac 36$ how do we know that $sqrt b = (sqrt[6]b)^3$




          I see his argument shows that the map φ is independent of the specific choice of representative in ⟨x⟩. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?




          In a word, yes.



          He wants to say $xmapsto y; x^2 mapsto y^2; .... ;x^n-1mapsto y^n-1; emapsto e$. and if he had said that there'd be no question of being well-defined if we assume that all the $x^k; 0le k < n$ are distinct.



          But if we can't assume they are distinct and we have a more general: $x^k mapsto y^k$... Well there is the possiblity that $x^k = x^k+r$ but $y^k ne y^k+r$. We have to prove that is not an issue.






          share|cite|improve this answer























          • Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
            – kmiyazaki
            Aug 2 at 22:15

















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          3
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          You say that to show a map $f :X to Y$ is well defined we need to show that if $f(x) = y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ then $y_1 = y_2$. That is true.



          An equivalent formulation is that if $x=y$ then we must have $f(x) = f(y)$.



          This is what the proof does. Since $x^k = x^n+k = x^2n+k = cdots$ we need to check that it doesn't matter whether we define $f(x^k)$ to be $y^k$ or $y^n+k$ or ...






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            In a cyclic group Every element w is a power of x but there will be many choices of the power say r and s .So $w=x^r=x^s$ ,one must show $x^r+k=x^s+k$.






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              3 Answers
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              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

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              active

              oldest

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              active

              oldest

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              up vote
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              down vote



              accepted











              "I know that in general to show a map f:X→Y is well-defined, we need to show that for any x∈X, f(x)=y1 and f(x)=y2 imply that y1=y2,




              That's sort of true. But as a definition for being "well-defined" it isn't .... well, defined.



              Let's take a specific example of something that is not well defined:



              For and $n = acdot b; n, a,b in mathbb N$ define $f(ab) = a$. That's obviously not well-defined because if we view $20$ as $1*20$ or $4*5$ or $10*2$ we'll get that maybe $f(1*20) = 1$ but $f(4*5) = 4$ and $f(10*2) = 10$ etc.



              That just doesnt make any sense.



              And that sort of fits your definition.



              $f(20) =1$ and $f(20) = 4$ but $1ne 4$ so not well-defined... except... how can we say $f(20) = 4$, how did we decide that that time it'd pop out a $4$ but the next time $f(20) = 1$ it popped out a $1$? Do we just sit and wait for all of them?



              Thing is $f$ is defined on representations and not actually on the numbers. SO to show something is well defined we must show if $a*b = n$ and $c*d = n$ are two representations of the some number then we must show that it will always be such that $f(a*b) = a$ and $f(c*d) = c$ that $a = c$.



              And, of course, that is bollucks and that is whay it is not well defined.



              On the other hand if something is defined on the number then... it's determined for that number. Period. If $f(n) =K$ then .... $f(n)$ will always be $K$ and it can't be anything else. So if something is defined specifically on the number and not the representation, then the issue of being well defined is not a concern.



              (The nuance, of course, is recognizing when a definition is innate to the number or to the representation.)



              But sometimes a representation definition is okay.



              Two examples (one familiar and one probably taken for granted without question): i) Define $sqrtx$ as the number (if any) so that $y ge 0;$ and $y^2 = x$. This is well defined IF we can show that for any $y^2 = x$ and $y_1^2 = x$ and $yge 0$ and $y_1 ge 0$ then $y= y_1$. And we can prove that. (If $y_1 ne y$ then one is smaller than the other; wolog we'll assume $0 le y_1 < y$. So then $y_1^2 < y^2$. So they aren't equal). So it is well defined.



              ii) for $b > 0$ define $b^q$ for $q in mathbb Q; q = frac nm; n,m in mathbb Z$ as $(sqrt[m]b)^n$. Well if $q = frac nm = frac rs$ how do we know $(sqrt[m]b)^n= (sqrt[s]b)^r$? For example $q =frac 12 = frac 36$ how do we know that $sqrt b = (sqrt[6]b)^3$




              I see his argument shows that the map φ is independent of the specific choice of representative in ⟨x⟩. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?




              In a word, yes.



              He wants to say $xmapsto y; x^2 mapsto y^2; .... ;x^n-1mapsto y^n-1; emapsto e$. and if he had said that there'd be no question of being well-defined if we assume that all the $x^k; 0le k < n$ are distinct.



              But if we can't assume they are distinct and we have a more general: $x^k mapsto y^k$... Well there is the possiblity that $x^k = x^k+r$ but $y^k ne y^k+r$. We have to prove that is not an issue.






              share|cite|improve this answer























              • Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
                – kmiyazaki
                Aug 2 at 22:15














              up vote
              2
              down vote



              accepted











              "I know that in general to show a map f:X→Y is well-defined, we need to show that for any x∈X, f(x)=y1 and f(x)=y2 imply that y1=y2,




              That's sort of true. But as a definition for being "well-defined" it isn't .... well, defined.



              Let's take a specific example of something that is not well defined:



              For and $n = acdot b; n, a,b in mathbb N$ define $f(ab) = a$. That's obviously not well-defined because if we view $20$ as $1*20$ or $4*5$ or $10*2$ we'll get that maybe $f(1*20) = 1$ but $f(4*5) = 4$ and $f(10*2) = 10$ etc.



              That just doesnt make any sense.



              And that sort of fits your definition.



              $f(20) =1$ and $f(20) = 4$ but $1ne 4$ so not well-defined... except... how can we say $f(20) = 4$, how did we decide that that time it'd pop out a $4$ but the next time $f(20) = 1$ it popped out a $1$? Do we just sit and wait for all of them?



              Thing is $f$ is defined on representations and not actually on the numbers. SO to show something is well defined we must show if $a*b = n$ and $c*d = n$ are two representations of the some number then we must show that it will always be such that $f(a*b) = a$ and $f(c*d) = c$ that $a = c$.



              And, of course, that is bollucks and that is whay it is not well defined.



              On the other hand if something is defined on the number then... it's determined for that number. Period. If $f(n) =K$ then .... $f(n)$ will always be $K$ and it can't be anything else. So if something is defined specifically on the number and not the representation, then the issue of being well defined is not a concern.



              (The nuance, of course, is recognizing when a definition is innate to the number or to the representation.)



              But sometimes a representation definition is okay.



              Two examples (one familiar and one probably taken for granted without question): i) Define $sqrtx$ as the number (if any) so that $y ge 0;$ and $y^2 = x$. This is well defined IF we can show that for any $y^2 = x$ and $y_1^2 = x$ and $yge 0$ and $y_1 ge 0$ then $y= y_1$. And we can prove that. (If $y_1 ne y$ then one is smaller than the other; wolog we'll assume $0 le y_1 < y$. So then $y_1^2 < y^2$. So they aren't equal). So it is well defined.



              ii) for $b > 0$ define $b^q$ for $q in mathbb Q; q = frac nm; n,m in mathbb Z$ as $(sqrt[m]b)^n$. Well if $q = frac nm = frac rs$ how do we know $(sqrt[m]b)^n= (sqrt[s]b)^r$? For example $q =frac 12 = frac 36$ how do we know that $sqrt b = (sqrt[6]b)^3$




              I see his argument shows that the map φ is independent of the specific choice of representative in ⟨x⟩. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?




              In a word, yes.



              He wants to say $xmapsto y; x^2 mapsto y^2; .... ;x^n-1mapsto y^n-1; emapsto e$. and if he had said that there'd be no question of being well-defined if we assume that all the $x^k; 0le k < n$ are distinct.



              But if we can't assume they are distinct and we have a more general: $x^k mapsto y^k$... Well there is the possiblity that $x^k = x^k+r$ but $y^k ne y^k+r$. We have to prove that is not an issue.






              share|cite|improve this answer























              • Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
                – kmiyazaki
                Aug 2 at 22:15












              up vote
              2
              down vote



              accepted







              up vote
              2
              down vote



              accepted







              "I know that in general to show a map f:X→Y is well-defined, we need to show that for any x∈X, f(x)=y1 and f(x)=y2 imply that y1=y2,




              That's sort of true. But as a definition for being "well-defined" it isn't .... well, defined.



              Let's take a specific example of something that is not well defined:



              For and $n = acdot b; n, a,b in mathbb N$ define $f(ab) = a$. That's obviously not well-defined because if we view $20$ as $1*20$ or $4*5$ or $10*2$ we'll get that maybe $f(1*20) = 1$ but $f(4*5) = 4$ and $f(10*2) = 10$ etc.



              That just doesnt make any sense.



              And that sort of fits your definition.



              $f(20) =1$ and $f(20) = 4$ but $1ne 4$ so not well-defined... except... how can we say $f(20) = 4$, how did we decide that that time it'd pop out a $4$ but the next time $f(20) = 1$ it popped out a $1$? Do we just sit and wait for all of them?



              Thing is $f$ is defined on representations and not actually on the numbers. SO to show something is well defined we must show if $a*b = n$ and $c*d = n$ are two representations of the some number then we must show that it will always be such that $f(a*b) = a$ and $f(c*d) = c$ that $a = c$.



              And, of course, that is bollucks and that is whay it is not well defined.



              On the other hand if something is defined on the number then... it's determined for that number. Period. If $f(n) =K$ then .... $f(n)$ will always be $K$ and it can't be anything else. So if something is defined specifically on the number and not the representation, then the issue of being well defined is not a concern.



              (The nuance, of course, is recognizing when a definition is innate to the number or to the representation.)



              But sometimes a representation definition is okay.



              Two examples (one familiar and one probably taken for granted without question): i) Define $sqrtx$ as the number (if any) so that $y ge 0;$ and $y^2 = x$. This is well defined IF we can show that for any $y^2 = x$ and $y_1^2 = x$ and $yge 0$ and $y_1 ge 0$ then $y= y_1$. And we can prove that. (If $y_1 ne y$ then one is smaller than the other; wolog we'll assume $0 le y_1 < y$. So then $y_1^2 < y^2$. So they aren't equal). So it is well defined.



              ii) for $b > 0$ define $b^q$ for $q in mathbb Q; q = frac nm; n,m in mathbb Z$ as $(sqrt[m]b)^n$. Well if $q = frac nm = frac rs$ how do we know $(sqrt[m]b)^n= (sqrt[s]b)^r$? For example $q =frac 12 = frac 36$ how do we know that $sqrt b = (sqrt[6]b)^3$




              I see his argument shows that the map φ is independent of the specific choice of representative in ⟨x⟩. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?




              In a word, yes.



              He wants to say $xmapsto y; x^2 mapsto y^2; .... ;x^n-1mapsto y^n-1; emapsto e$. and if he had said that there'd be no question of being well-defined if we assume that all the $x^k; 0le k < n$ are distinct.



              But if we can't assume they are distinct and we have a more general: $x^k mapsto y^k$... Well there is the possiblity that $x^k = x^k+r$ but $y^k ne y^k+r$. We have to prove that is not an issue.






              share|cite|improve this answer
















              "I know that in general to show a map f:X→Y is well-defined, we need to show that for any x∈X, f(x)=y1 and f(x)=y2 imply that y1=y2,




              That's sort of true. But as a definition for being "well-defined" it isn't .... well, defined.



              Let's take a specific example of something that is not well defined:



              For and $n = acdot b; n, a,b in mathbb N$ define $f(ab) = a$. That's obviously not well-defined because if we view $20$ as $1*20$ or $4*5$ or $10*2$ we'll get that maybe $f(1*20) = 1$ but $f(4*5) = 4$ and $f(10*2) = 10$ etc.



              That just doesnt make any sense.



              And that sort of fits your definition.



              $f(20) =1$ and $f(20) = 4$ but $1ne 4$ so not well-defined... except... how can we say $f(20) = 4$, how did we decide that that time it'd pop out a $4$ but the next time $f(20) = 1$ it popped out a $1$? Do we just sit and wait for all of them?



              Thing is $f$ is defined on representations and not actually on the numbers. SO to show something is well defined we must show if $a*b = n$ and $c*d = n$ are two representations of the some number then we must show that it will always be such that $f(a*b) = a$ and $f(c*d) = c$ that $a = c$.



              And, of course, that is bollucks and that is whay it is not well defined.



              On the other hand if something is defined on the number then... it's determined for that number. Period. If $f(n) =K$ then .... $f(n)$ will always be $K$ and it can't be anything else. So if something is defined specifically on the number and not the representation, then the issue of being well defined is not a concern.



              (The nuance, of course, is recognizing when a definition is innate to the number or to the representation.)



              But sometimes a representation definition is okay.



              Two examples (one familiar and one probably taken for granted without question): i) Define $sqrtx$ as the number (if any) so that $y ge 0;$ and $y^2 = x$. This is well defined IF we can show that for any $y^2 = x$ and $y_1^2 = x$ and $yge 0$ and $y_1 ge 0$ then $y= y_1$. And we can prove that. (If $y_1 ne y$ then one is smaller than the other; wolog we'll assume $0 le y_1 < y$. So then $y_1^2 < y^2$. So they aren't equal). So it is well defined.



              ii) for $b > 0$ define $b^q$ for $q in mathbb Q; q = frac nm; n,m in mathbb Z$ as $(sqrt[m]b)^n$. Well if $q = frac nm = frac rs$ how do we know $(sqrt[m]b)^n= (sqrt[s]b)^r$? For example $q =frac 12 = frac 36$ how do we know that $sqrt b = (sqrt[6]b)^3$




              I see his argument shows that the map φ is independent of the specific choice of representative in ⟨x⟩. Is that equivalent to the map being well-defined?




              In a word, yes.



              He wants to say $xmapsto y; x^2 mapsto y^2; .... ;x^n-1mapsto y^n-1; emapsto e$. and if he had said that there'd be no question of being well-defined if we assume that all the $x^k; 0le k < n$ are distinct.



              But if we can't assume they are distinct and we have a more general: $x^k mapsto y^k$... Well there is the possiblity that $x^k = x^k+r$ but $y^k ne y^k+r$. We have to prove that is not an issue.







              share|cite|improve this answer















              share|cite|improve this answer



              share|cite|improve this answer








              edited Aug 2 at 21:30


























              answered Aug 2 at 21:22









              fleablood

              60.1k22575




              60.1k22575











              • Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
                – kmiyazaki
                Aug 2 at 22:15
















              • Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
                – kmiyazaki
                Aug 2 at 22:15















              Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
              – kmiyazaki
              Aug 2 at 22:15




              Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.
              – kmiyazaki
              Aug 2 at 22:15










              up vote
              3
              down vote













              You say that to show a map $f :X to Y$ is well defined we need to show that if $f(x) = y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ then $y_1 = y_2$. That is true.



              An equivalent formulation is that if $x=y$ then we must have $f(x) = f(y)$.



              This is what the proof does. Since $x^k = x^n+k = x^2n+k = cdots$ we need to check that it doesn't matter whether we define $f(x^k)$ to be $y^k$ or $y^n+k$ or ...






              share|cite|improve this answer

























                up vote
                3
                down vote













                You say that to show a map $f :X to Y$ is well defined we need to show that if $f(x) = y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ then $y_1 = y_2$. That is true.



                An equivalent formulation is that if $x=y$ then we must have $f(x) = f(y)$.



                This is what the proof does. Since $x^k = x^n+k = x^2n+k = cdots$ we need to check that it doesn't matter whether we define $f(x^k)$ to be $y^k$ or $y^n+k$ or ...






                share|cite|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote









                  You say that to show a map $f :X to Y$ is well defined we need to show that if $f(x) = y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ then $y_1 = y_2$. That is true.



                  An equivalent formulation is that if $x=y$ then we must have $f(x) = f(y)$.



                  This is what the proof does. Since $x^k = x^n+k = x^2n+k = cdots$ we need to check that it doesn't matter whether we define $f(x^k)$ to be $y^k$ or $y^n+k$ or ...






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                  You say that to show a map $f :X to Y$ is well defined we need to show that if $f(x) = y_1$ and $f(x)=y_2$ then $y_1 = y_2$. That is true.



                  An equivalent formulation is that if $x=y$ then we must have $f(x) = f(y)$.



                  This is what the proof does. Since $x^k = x^n+k = x^2n+k = cdots$ we need to check that it doesn't matter whether we define $f(x^k)$ to be $y^k$ or $y^n+k$ or ...







                  share|cite|improve this answer













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                  share|cite|improve this answer











                  answered Aug 2 at 20:53









                  Daniel Mroz

                  851314




                  851314




















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                      In a cyclic group Every element w is a power of x but there will be many choices of the power say r and s .So $w=x^r=x^s$ ,one must show $x^r+k=x^s+k$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer



























                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        In a cyclic group Every element w is a power of x but there will be many choices of the power say r and s .So $w=x^r=x^s$ ,one must show $x^r+k=x^s+k$.






                        share|cite|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote









                          In a cyclic group Every element w is a power of x but there will be many choices of the power say r and s .So $w=x^r=x^s$ ,one must show $x^r+k=x^s+k$.






                          share|cite|improve this answer















                          In a cyclic group Every element w is a power of x but there will be many choices of the power say r and s .So $w=x^r=x^s$ ,one must show $x^r+k=x^s+k$.







                          share|cite|improve this answer















                          share|cite|improve this answer



                          share|cite|improve this answer








                          edited Aug 3 at 0:23


























                          answered Aug 2 at 21:10









                          StuartMN

                          1,31349




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