Q.Which one of the following is a binary operation on N?
Concept understanding — Binary Operations
Binary Operations
A binary operation ∗ on a set S assigns to each ordered pair (a,b) an element a∗b∈S (closure). Its algebraic properties are:
- Commutative: a∗b=b∗a for all a,b.
- Associative: (a∗b)∗c=a∗(b∗c) for all a,b,c.
- Identity element e: a∗e=e∗a=a for all a.
- Inverse of a: an element a′ with a∗a′=a′∗a=e.
To analyse a given rule such as a∗b=2a+b or a∗b=a+b+ab, check each property directly. For a∗b=a+b+ab: it is commutative and associative, the identity solves a+e+ae=a⇒e=0, and the inverse solves a+a′+aa′=0⇒a′=−1+aa.
Exam questions define an operation on R (or a subset) and ask whether it is commutative/associative, or to find its identity and inverse elements.
Binary operations form part of the Relations and Functions unit in the CBSE Class 12 Mathematics NCERT syllabus, commonly appearing in board exams and searched as "binary operations class 12 important questions" or "commutative associative identity inverse examples". This topic also recurs in JEE Main algebra questions that test identity and inverse-element reasoning.
On N, only multiplication keeps every product a natural number; subtraction and division can leave N.
Option (2): Multiplication.
We test each candidate operation for closure on N={1,2,3,…}.
Step 1. Subtraction. 3−5=−2∈/N -- fails.
Step 2. Multiplication. For any a,b∈N, ab∈N always -- holds.
Step 3. Division. 1÷2=21∈/N -- fails.
Conclusion. Only multiplication is binary on N among the three; "all the above" is therefore wrong.
Option (2): Multiplication.
Test closure of each operation with a concrete counterexample
- Picking 'all the above' without individually checking subtraction and division
Showing the 12 most recent of 28 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.If the operation ∗ is defined as a∗b=a+2b, then (2∗3)∗4 is(a) 30(b) 20(c) 16(d) 15
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply the binary operation twice: 2∗3=8, then 8∗4=16.
Given a∗b=a+2b. Compute the inner operation first:
2∗3=2+2(3)=2+6=8.
Then (2∗3)∗4=8∗4=8+2(4)=8+8=16.
✓Final answer(C) 16.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.If operation ∗ is defined as a∗b=a3+b3, then 4∗(1∗2)=(a) 729(b) 793(c) 783(d) 792
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluate the inner operation first (BODMAS with the defined ∗).
Given a∗b=a3+b3:
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Inner: 1∗2=13+23=1+8=9.
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Outer: 4∗9=43+93=64+729=793.
✓Final answer(b) 793.
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- CBSE 2025Set E1 markMCQQ.If operation 'o' is defined as (a∘b)=a3+b3, then 4∘(1∘2)=(a) 729(b) 793(c) 783(d) 792
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluate the inner bracket first: 1∘2=9, then 4∘9=793.
The operation is a∘b=a3+b3. Compute the inner one first:
1∘2=13+23=1+8=9.
Then
4∘(1∘2)=4∘9=43+93=64+729=793.
✓Final answer(B) 793.
- CBSE 2025Set E1 markMCQQ.If operation 'o' is defined as (a∘b)=a2+b2−ab, then (1∘2)∘3=(a) 18(b) 27(c) 9(d) 12
›Reveal solutionSolution
Inner bracket 1∘2=3, then 3∘3=9.
The operation is a∘b=a2+b2−ab. Compute the inner bracket first:
1∘2=12+22−(1)(2)=1+4−2=3.
Then
(1∘2)∘3=3∘3=32+32−(3)(3)=9+9−9=9.
✓Final answer(C) 9.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If ab = a²+b² ∀a,b∈IN, then (45)*3 is equal to(a) 50(b) 60(c) 1230(d) 1690
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply the binary operation a∗b=a2+b2 twice, from the inside out.
The symbol ∗ is a binary operation on N defined by a∗b=a2+b2. To evaluate (4∗5)∗3 we must first evaluate the inner operation, then use that result as the left operand of the outer operation.
Step 1 — inner operation: 4∗5=42+52=16+25=41.
Step 2 — outer operation: (4∗5)∗3=41∗3=412+32=1681+9=1690.
✓Final answer(4∗5)∗3=1690 (option d).
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Subtraction is not a binary operation in :(a) N(b) R(c) Q(d) Z
›Reveal solutionSolution
A binary operation on a set must be closed on that set; subtraction fails closure only on N among the four choices, since a smaller natural number minus a larger one is negative.
- A binary operation ∗ on a set S requires a∗b∈S for every a,b∈S (closure).
- Test subtraction on N={1,2,3,…}: take a=2,b=5. Then a−b=2−5=−3, which is not a natural number, so −3∈/N.
- Hence subtraction is NOT closed on N, so it is not a binary operation on N.
- On Z (integers), Q (rationals) and R (reals), the difference of any two elements always stays in the same set, so subtraction IS a binary operation there.
- So the set on which subtraction fails to be a binary operation is N.
✓Final answer(a) N
- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.If the operation ∗ is defined as a∗b=2a+b, then (2∗3)∗4 is(a) 30(b) 20(c) 18(d) 15
›Reveal solutionSolution
(2∗3)∗4=18.
The binary operation is defined by a∗b=2a+b. Work from the innermost bracket first.
Step 1: 2∗3=2(2)+3=4+3=7.
Step 2: (2∗3)∗4=7∗4=2(7)+4=14+4=18.
✓Final answer(C) 18.
- CBSE 2023Set M1 markQ.Let ∗ be the binary operation on N of natural numbers given by a∗b=LCM of a and b. Find 5∗7.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests a binary operation defined as LCM; 5∗7=35.
By definition a∗b=LCM(a,b). Since 5 and 7 are both prime (hence coprime), their LCM is their product:
5∗7=LCM(5,7)=5×7=35.
✓Final answer35
- CBSE 2023Set E1 markMCQQ.If the operation 'o' is defined as aob=3a+b then (2o3)o5=(a) 28(b) 32(c) 36(d) 22
›Reveal solutionSolution
(2o3)o5=32.
Using aob=3a+b:
2o3=3(2)+3=9, then 9o5=3(9)+5=27+5=32.
✓Final answer(B) 32.
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.For any operation ∗, defined on 0 as a∗b=3a+b, then 1∗2=(a) 3(b) 1(c) 0(d) none of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute directly into the given binary operation formula.
a∗b=3a+b. With a=1,b=2: 1∗2=31+2=33=1.
✓Final answer(b) 1.
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The operation ∗ defined by a∗b=7ab is not a binary operation on :(a) R(b) Q+(c) C(d) Z
›Reveal solutionSolution
A binary operation must map back into the same set; testing a∗b=ab/7 on each option finds it fails closure only on the integers.
- For ∗ to be a binary operation on a set S, we need a∗b=7ab∈S for every a,b∈S (closure).
- On R: a,b real ⇒ab/7 real. Closed.
- On Q+: a,b positive rationals ⇒ab/7 is a positive rational. Closed.
- On C: a,b complex ⇒ab/7 complex. Closed.
- On Z: take a=b=1∈Z. Then a∗b=71⋅1=71∈/Z. Not closed.
- So ∗ fails to be a binary operation only on Z.
✓Final answer(d) Z
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Let * be a binary operation on the set of all non-zero real numbers, defined by a * b = ab/5. The value of x given that 2 * (x * 5) = 10 is –(a) 25(b) 30(c) 40(d) 50
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using a∗b=ab/5 repeatedly: first find x∗5, then apply the operation with 2 to solve for x.
Given a∗b=5ab and 2∗(x∗5)=10.
First compute the inner operation:
x∗5=5x⋅5=x.
So the equation becomes
2∗x=10⟹52x=10⟹2x=50⟹x=25.
✓Final answerx = 25 — option (a).
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