Addition in N
Addition of natural numbers is the most basic arithmetic operation. Here we will define it
from Peano's axioms (see natural number) and prove some simple properties. The set of natural numbers will be denoted by N; zero
is taken to be a natural number.
The Definition
The operation of addition, commonly written as infix operator +, is a function of N x N -> N
a + b = c
a is called the augend, b is called the addend, while c is called the sum.
By convention, a+ is referred as the successor of a as defined
in the Peano postulates.
The Axioms
The first is referred as AP1, the second as AP2.
The Properties
- Uniqueness: (a+b) is unique. i.e. If (a.b) also satisfies [AP1] and [AP2] then (a.b)=(a+b).
- The Law of Associativity: (a+b)+c = a+(b+c)
- The Law of Commutativity: a+b = b+a
Proof of Uniqueness
We prove by mathematical induction on b.
Base: (a.0) = [by AP1] a = [by AP1] (a+0) for all a
Induction hypothese: (a.b)=(a+b) for all a
- (a.b+)
- = [by AP2] (a.b)+
- = [by hypothese] (a+b)+
- = [by AP2] (a+b+)
Proof of Associativity
We prove by mathematical induction on c.
Base: (a+b)+0 = [by AP1] a+b = [by AP1] a+(b+0) for all a,b
Induction hypothesis: (a+b)+c = a+(b+c) for all a,b
- (a+b)+c+
- = [by AP2] ((a+b)+c)+
- = [by hypothesis] (a+(b+c))+
- = [by AP2] a+(b+c)+
- = [by AP2] a+(b+c+)
Proof of Commutativity
We prove by mathematical induction on b.
Base: a+0=a=0+a and a+1=a+=1+a for all a
Proof of base is by mathematical induction on a.
Induction hypothesis: a+b=b+a for all a
- a+b+
- = [using the base] a+(1+b)
- = [by associativity] (a+1)+b
- = [by hypothesis] b+(a+1)
- = [using the base] b+(1+a)
- = [by associativity] (b+1)+a
- = [using the base] b++a
Referenced By
Addend | Addition | Augend | List of mathematical proofs | List of mathematical topics | List of mathematical topics (A-C) | List of mathematics topics | List of proofs | Natural number | Natural numbers | Plus | Plus sign | Whole number
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