# nLab midpoint algebra

Contents

### Context

#### Algebra

higher algebra

universal algebra

# Contents

## Idea

The idea of a midpoint algebra comes from Peter Freyd.

## Definition

A midpoint algebra is a magma $(M,\vert)$ that is commutative, idempotent, and medial:

• for all $a$ in $M$, $a \vert a = a$

• for all $a$ and $b$ in $M$, $a \vert b = b \vert a$

• for all $a$, $b$, $c$, and $d$ in $M$, $(a \vert b) \vert (c \vert d) = (a \vert c) \vert (b \vert d)$

## Properties

The currying of the midpoint operation $\vert$ results in the contraction $(-)\vert : M \to (M \to M)$. Contractions are midpoint homomorphisms: for all $a$, $b$, and $c$ in $M$, $(a \vert) (b \vert c) = ((a \vert) b) \vert ((a \vert) c)$.

## Examples

The rational numbers, real numbers, and the complex numbers with $a \vert b \coloneqq \frac{a + b}{2}$ are examples of midpoint algebras.

The trivial group with $a \vert b = a \cdot b$ is a midpoint algebra.

## References

• Peter Freyd, Algebraic real analysis, Theory and Applications of Categories, Vol. 20, 2008, No. 10, pp 215-306 (tac:20-10)

Last revised on June 1, 2021 at 14:30:38. See the history of this page for a list of all contributions to it.