Nilpotent

In mathematics, particularly in the study of linear algebra and abstract algebra, the term "nilpotent" refers to a specific type of element in a ring or algebra. An element \( a \) of a ring \( R \) is said to be nilpotent if there exists a positive integer \( n \) such that \[ a^n = 0. \] In this context, \( 0 \) represents the additive identity in the ring \( R \).