A loop is a with an identity element. That is, a set LL with a binary operation such that:

  1. Identity: There exists e∈Le \in L with ea=ae=aea = ae = a for all a∈La \in L
  2. Divisibility: For all a,b∈La, b \in L, the equations ax=bax = b and ya=bya = b have unique solutions

A loop that is also associative is a . The smallest non-associative loop has 5 elements.

Examples
  • Unit octonions under multiplication (non-associative!)
  • Moufang loops
  • All groups are loops