Distributive property by Ciro Santilli 40 Updated 2025-07-16
One of the defining properties of algebraic structure with two operations such as ring and field:
This property shows how the two operations interact.
Finite field by Ciro Santilli 40 Updated 2025-07-16
A convenient notation for the elements of of prime order is to use integers, e.g. for we could write:
which makes it clear what is the additive inverse of each element, although sometimes a notation starting from 0 is also used:
For fields of prime order, regular modular arithmetic works as the field operation.
For non-prime order, we see that modular arithmetic does not work because the divisors have no inverse. E.g. at order 6, 2 and 3 have no inverse, e.g. for 2:
we see that things wrap around perfecly, and 1 is never reached.
For non-prime prime power orders however, we can find a way, see finite field of non-prime order.
Video 1.
Finite fields made easy by Randell Heyman (2015)
Source. Good introduction with examples
Euro by Ciro Santilli 40 Updated 2025-07-16
Video 1.
The Euro Has Never Been More Problematic by Yanis Varoufakis (2018)
Source. Talk given at the Oxford Union. youtu.be/cCA68U3P_Z8?t=1288 describes the problem with the Uero a bit better.
The neutron temperature example is crucial: you just can't give the cross section of a target alone, the energy of the incoming beam also matters.
Existence and uniqueness results are fundamental in mathematics because we often define objects by their properties, and then start calling them "the object", which is fantastically convenient.
But calling something "the object" only makes sense if there exists exactly one, and only one, object that satisfies the properties.
One particular context where these come up very explicitly is in solutions to differential equations, e.g. existence and uniqueness of solutions of partial differential equations.

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
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    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
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    Video 3.
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