In mathematics, a trivial group is a group consisting of a single element. All such groups are isomorphic, so one often speaks of the trivial group. The single element of the trivial group is the identity element and so it is usually denoted as such: 0, 1 or e depending on the context. If the group operation is denoted ∗ then it is defined by e ∗ e = e.
The trivial group should not be confused with the empty set (which has no elements, and lacking an identity element, cannot be a group).
Given any group G, the group consisting of only the identity element is a trivial group and being a subgroup of G is called the trivial subgroup of G.
The term, when referred to "G has no non-trivial subgroups" refers to the fact that all subgroups of G are the trivial group {e} and the group G itself.
Read more about Trivial Group: Properties
Famous quotes containing the words trivial and/or group:
“We are nauseated by the sight of trivial personalities decomposing in the eternity of print.”
—Virginia Woolf (1882–1941)
“Once it was a boat, quite wooden
and with no business, no salt water under it
and in need of some paint. It was no more
than a group of boards. But you hoisted her, rigged her.
She’s been elected.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)