The ring 𝑅=𝑛ℤ has nonzero zero-divisors if 𝑛 is not prime. True or false
Question
The ring 𝑅=𝑛ℤ has nonzero zero-divisors if 𝑛 is not prime. True or false
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Solution
True.
Here's why:
A ring R = nZ consists of all the integers that are multiples of n. A zero-divisor in a ring is a nonzero element a such that there exists another nonzero element b in the ring where the product ab = 0.
If n is not a prime number, it means that n can be expressed as a product of two integers a and b (where a, b > 1). In the ring R = nZ, both an and bn are elements. Their product is (an)(bn) = abn = n^2 = 0 (in the ring nZ).
Therefore, if n is not a prime number, the ring R = nZ has nonzero zero-divisors.
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