Division Ring

In abstract algebra, a division ring, also called a skew field, is a ring in which division is possible. Specifically, it is a non-trivial ring in which every non-zero element a has a multiplicative inverse, i.e., an element x with a·x = x·a = 1. Stated differently, a ring is a division ring if and only if the group of units is the set of all non-zero elements.

Division rings differ from fields only in that their multiplication is not required to be commutative. However, by Wedderburn's little theorem all finite division rings are commutative and therefore finite fields. Historically, division rings were sometimes referred to as fields, while fields were called “commutative fields”.

Read more about Division Ring:  Relation To Fields and Linear Algebra, Examples, Ring Theorems, Related Notions

Famous quotes containing the words division and/or ring:

    O, if you raise this house against this house
    It will the woefullest division prove
    That ever fell upon this cursed earth.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    Look how my ring encompasseth thy finger;
    Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart.
    Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)