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identity element

The definition of an identity element is a number that combines with other elements in a mathematical equation but does not change them.

(noun)

An example of an identity element is 0 in the equation 5+0=5.

See identity element in Webster's New World College Dictionary

an element of a mathematical system that does not change the other elements in the system when it operates on them: zero is the identity element for addition (x + 0 = x) and one is the identity element for multiplication (y × 1 = y)

See identity element in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The element of a set of numbers that when combined with another number in a particular operation leaves that number unchanged. For example, 0 is the identity element under addition for the real numbers, since if a is any real number, a + 0 = 0 + a = a. Similarly, 1 is the identity element under multiplication for the real numbers, since a × 1 = 1 × a = a. Also called unity.

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