| − | The set of integers form what is called in [[abstract algebra]] a [[ring]]. A ring is a set equipped with operations + and x with the usual properties learned in high-school algebra ([[commutativity]], [[distributivity]], [[linearity]], and [[associativity|associative property]]), identities for both operations, and inversion ([[subtraction]]). Other objects such as [[matrix]]es, [[polynomial]]s, [[quaternion]]s, and [[algebraic integer]]s also form rings, and can therefore be viewed as generalizations of the integers. | + | The set of integers form what is called in [[abstract algebra]] a [[ring]]. A ring is a set equipped with operations + and x with the usual properties learned in high-school algebra ([[commutativity]], [[distributivity]], [[linearity]], and [[associative property|associativity]]), identities for both operations, and inversion ([[subtraction]]). Other objects such as [[matrix]]es, [[polynomial]]s, [[quaternion]]s, and [[algebraic integer]]s also form rings, and can therefore be viewed as generalizations of the integers. |