defining inverse number

It is common to consider + and * as "fundamental" operations (of the
real and complex number algebra). Binary minus is not fundamental
because it can be represented via unary minus, which in turn is just a
multiplication by -1. But why division is not fundamental? OK we
reduce division to inverse a -> 1/a, but how do we represent inverse
via fundamental operators and constants?

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Problem with exponentiation: -2**2 gives 4 instead of -4
    ... programming languages, in that the developers got something wrong. ... confusion about the difference between the negation operator (unary ... minus) and the subtraction operator (binary minus). ... Otherwise, instead of complaining about the evils of unary minus, we ...
    (comp.lang.tcl)
  • Re: First use of Lisp at work!
    ... unary minus having lower precedence than ... I don't know who the various infix languages cope with it, ...
    (comp.lang.lisp)
  • Re: defining inverse number
    ... Binary minus is not fundamental ... because it can be represented via unary minus, which in turn is just a ... So subtraction is really adding the additive inverse. ...
    (sci.math)
  • Re: defining inverse number
    ... real and complex number algebra). ... Binary minus is not fundamental ... because it can be represented via unary minus, which in turn is just a ... From -a to a required the use of an additional operator, viz. ...
    (sci.math)