coset

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noun

The set that results from applying a group's binary operation with a given fixed element of the group on each element of a given subgroup.

UncommonScrabble 7

Meanings

nouncoset (plural cosets)

plural cosets

  1. algebraThe set that results from applying a group's binary operation with a given fixed element of the group on each element of a given subgroup.

    1982 [Stanley Thornes], Linda Bostock, Suzanne Chandler, C. Rourke, Further Pure Mathematics, Nelson Thornes, 2002 Reprint, page 614, In general, the coset in row x consists of all the elements xh as h runs through the various elements of H.

    2 more examples

    1970 [Addison Wesley], Frederick W. Byron, Robert W. Fuller, Mathematics of Classical and Quantum Physics, Volumes 1-2, Dover, 1992, page 597, Theorem 10.5. The collection consisting of an invariant subgroup H and all its distinct cosets is itself a group, called the factor group of G, usually denoted by G/H. (Remember that the left and right cosets of an invariant subgroup are identical.) Multiplication of two cosets aH and bH is defined as the set of all distinct products z = xy, with x ∈ aH and y ∈ bH; the identity element of the factor group is the subgroup H itself.

    Example 3. Let G#61;#92;mathbb#123;Z#125; (the operation is #43;), H#61;2#92;mathbb#123;Z#125;. Then the coset 1#43;2#92;mathbb#123;Z#125; is the set of integers of the form 1#43;2k where k runs through all elements of #92;mathbb#123;Z#125;.

    2009, Lindsay N. Childs, A Concrete Introduction to Higher Algebra, 3rd edition, Springer, page 231

Origin

From co- + set; apparently first used 1910 by American mathematician George Abram Miller.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Estonian kõrvalklass
  • kõrvalklassresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup
Finnish sivuluokka
  • sivuluokkaresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup
Hungarian mellékosztály
  • mellékosztályresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup
Italian classe laterale
  • classe lateraleresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup
Polish warstwa
  • warstwaresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup
Portuguese classe lateral
  • classe lateralresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup
Swedish sidoklass
  • sidoklassresult of applying group operation with fixed element from the parent group on each element of a subgroup

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

coset. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coset

MLA

“coset.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coset. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “coset,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coset.

Source: coset on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.