[Math] How to prove the existence of the identity element of an binary operator

binary operationsproof-writing

In order to explain what I'm asking, let's consider the following binary operation:

The binary operation $*$ on $\mathbb{R}$ give by $x*y = x+y – 7$ for all $x,y$ $\in \mathbb{R}.$

In here it is pretty clear that the identity element exists and it is $7$, but in order to prove that the binary operation has the identity element $7$, first we have to prove the existence of an identity element than find what it is.

So, how can we prove that the existance of the identity element ?

Note: I actually asked a similar question before, but in that case the binary operation that I gave didn't have an identity element, so, as you can see from the answer, we directly proved with the method of contradiction.Therefore, instead of asking a new question, I'm editing my old question.

Best Answer

You guessed that the number $7$ acts as identity for the operation $*$. Then you checked that indeed $x*7=7*x=x$ for all $x$. Therewith you have a full proof that an identity element exists, and that $7$ is this special element.

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