For every positive integer , the group laws give . Consequently
The sets of positive exponents returning the two elements to the identity element are identical. If this set is nonempty, its least member is the order of a group element in both cases. If it is empty, neither element has finite order. Therefore, including the infinite-order case,
For a direct divisibility argument in the finite case, if has order , then , so its inverse’s order divides . Reversing the roles shows divides that order, forcing equality. This is the general fact that an element and its inverse have the same order; it also reflects as cyclic subgroups.