Idempotent

Quick meaning: Idempotent is an adjective meaning (mathematics) (said of an algebraic structure) Having an idempotent operation (in the sense given above).

Meaning

(mathematics) (said of an algebraic structure) Having an idempotent operation (in the sense given above).

More Meanings

1. (mathematics) An idempotent element.
2. (mathematics) An idempotent structure.
3. (mathematics, computing) (said of a function) Such that, when performed multiple times on the same subject, it has no further effect on its subject after the first time it is performed.
4. (mathematics) (said of an element of an algebraic structure with a binary operation, such as a group or semigroup) Such that, when it operates on itself, the result is equal to itself.
5. (mathematics) (said of a binary operation) Such that all of the distinct elements it can operate on are idempotent (in the sense given just above).

Example Sentences

A projection operator is idempotent.

Every finite semigroup has an idempotent element.

Every group has a unique idempotent element: namely, its identity element.

Since the AND logical operator is commutative, associative, and idempotent, it distributes with respect to itself.

Word Forms

• idempotents

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include semiring, idempotented, unipotent, invariant, nonrepeating, antiinvariant.

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