In: Math
Let R be a ring with at least two elements. Prove that M2×2(R)is always a ring (with addition and multiplication of matrices defined as usual).
Let A =
M2x2(R), B =
M2x2(R), C =
M2x2(R).
i) Now, A+B =
+
=
M2x2(R). [Since R is ring]
Therefore, A+(B+C) = (A+B)+C for all A,B,C
M2x2(R).
Therefore, there exists an element, denoted by O, in M2x2(R).such that A+O = A.
Therefore, for each element A in M2x2(R) there exists an element, denoted by -A, in M2x2(R) such that A+(-A) = O.
i.e., A+B = B+A for all A, B
M2x2(R).
Therefore, A.(B.C) = (A.B).C for A, B, C
M2x2(R).
= A.B+A.C
= B.A+C.A
Since all conditions are satisfied by M2x2(R), therefore M2x2(R) is always a ring.