[Math] Show that a nonempty set of integers that is closed under subtraction must also be closed under addition

abstract-algebranumber theory

So this is what I have so far:

Let X be a nonempty set of integers

Let $a,b\in X$ and we need to show that $a+b\in X$

Because $b\in X$ and X is closed under subtraction, than $b-b\in X$

Once again, by closure under subtraction $b-(b-b)\in X$

Since $a\in X$ as well, by closure under subtraction, $a-[(b-b)-b]\in X$

$a-[(b-b)-b]=a-(b-2b)=a-(-b)=a+b$

$\therefore a+b\in X$

But how would I show that the empty set is closed under addition as well?

Best Answer

It would help readability of your argument if you said something like this:

$1.$ Let $b$ be in $X$. Then $b-b$ is in $X$. So $0$ is in $X$.

$2.$ Because $0$ is in $X$, for any $b$ in $X$ we have $0-b$ is in $X$. So $-b$ is in $X$.

$3.$ For any $a$ and $b$ in $X$, $a+b=a-(-b)$, so by $(2)$, $a+b$ is in $X$.