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How do you show that the integers under addition are cyclic?

To show that the integers Z\mathbb{Z} under addition are cyclic, demonstrate that Z=⟨1⟩\mathbb{Z} = \langle 1 \rangle. The subgroup generated by 11 contains 11, its inverse −1-1, the identity 00, and all integer multiples of 11, which exhausts all integers.

Conditions

  • The group is Z\mathbb{Z} with operation ++.
  • The candidate generator is 11.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Start with the generator 11.
  2. Include the additive inverse −1-1.
  3. Include the identity element 00.
  4. Add all positive multiples 2,3,4,…2, 3, 4, \dots due to closure.
  5. Add all negative multiples −2,−3,−4,…-2, -3, -4, \dots due to closure.
  6. The resulting set is ⟨1⟩={…,−4,−3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3,4,… }\langle 1 \rangle = \{\dots, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, \dots\}.
  7. This set is exactly Z\mathbb{Z}, so Z\mathbb{Z} is cyclic.

Example

The video states: "Claim: Z=⟨1⟩\mathbb{Z} = \langle 1 \rangle" and displays "⟨1⟩={…,−4,−3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3,4… }\langle 1 \rangle = \{\dots, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 \dots\}".

Common misconceptions

  • Thinking that Z\mathbb{Z} is not cyclic because it is infinite.
  • Assuming that −1-1 cannot generate Z\mathbb{Z}.

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