I believe I have been able to construct in two ways, using the field axioms, that if x≠0 and xy=xz, then y=z. However, I've seen similar proofs like this assume that we can perform arithmetic operations, such as multiplying both sides by an inverse--which mirrors in some sense some proofs I've written in an abstract-algebra context--whereas others are more 'purist' in this sense. The similar proof in Rudin, for example, does not assume that we can use simple arithmetic.
My question, then, is which of these is 'more' standard in a first-year analysis course?
Proof 1: Assuming I can use arithmetic .
Since x≠0, ∃x−1 s.t. xx−1=x−1x=1 by the field axioms. Therefore,
xy=xzBy assumptionx−1(xy)=x−1(xz)Multiply on left by x−1(x−1x)y=(x−1x)zAssociativity1y=1zInverse propertiesy=z
Example 2: Without assuming arithmetic, and mirroring Rudin.
y=1⋅yMultiplicative identity=(x⋅1x)yMult inverse axiom with x≠0=(1x⋅x)yCommutativity of multiplication=1x(x⋅y)Associativity of multiplication=1x(xz)Assumption that xy=xz=(1x⋅x)zAssociativity of multiplication=1zInverse properties=z
Thanks in advance.
Answer
The two proofs are essentially the same and the first doesn't use arithmetic, but rather field axioms. I wouldn't use 1x, but that's more cosmetic than substantial.
More substantial is that you don't need to appeal to commutativity:
y=1y(multiplicative identity)=(x−1x)y(x≠0 has an inverse)=x−1(xy)(associativity)=x−1(xz)(hypothesis)=(x−1x)z(associativity)=1z(property of the inverse)=z(multiplicative identity)
On the other hand, the other proof seems shorter
xy=xz(hypothesis)x−1(xy)=x−1(xz)(x≠0 has an inverse)(x−1x)y=(x−1x)z(associativity)1y=1z(property of the inverse)y=z(multiplicative identity)
and less “rabbit out of a top hat”.
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