On Neutrosophic Triplet Groups: Basic Properties, NT-Subgroups, and Some Notes

Abstract

As a new generalization of the notion of the standard group, the notion of the neutrosophic triplet group (NTG) is derived from the basic idea of the neutrosophic set and can be regarded as a mathematical structure describing generalized symmetry. In this paper, the properties and structural features of NTG are studied in depth by using theoretical analysis and software calculations (in fact, some important examples in the paper are calculated and verified by mathematics software, but the related programs are omitted). The main results are obtained as follows: (1) by constructing counterexamples, some mistakes in the some literatures are pointed out; (2) some new properties of NTGs are obtained, and it is proved that every element has unique neutral element in any neutrosophic triplet group; (3) the notions of NT-subgroups, strong NT-subgroups, and weak commutative neutrosophic triplet groups (WCNTGs) are introduced, the quotient structures are constructed by strong NT-subgroups, and a homomorphism theorem is proved in weak commutative neutrosophic triplet groups.

1. Introduction

The importance of group theory is self-evident. It is widely used in many fields, such as physics, chemistry, engineering, and so on. It is a very good mathematical tool to describe the symmetry of nature [1,2]. As a more general concept, Molaei introduced the new notion of generalized group in 1999 [3,4], and some researchers studied its properties [5,6].

The concept of neutrosophic set is introduced by F. Smarandache, it is a generalization of (intuitionistic) fuzzy sets [7]. The neutrosophic set theory is applied to algebraic structures, multiple attribute decision-making, and so on [8,9,10,11,12,13]. Recently, F. Smarandache and Mumtaz Ali in [14,15], for the first time, introduced the new notion of neutrosophic triplet group (NTG), which is another generalization of classical group. It is easy to verify that all generalized groups are neutrosophic triplet group. Note that, in this paper, the notion of neutrosophic triplet group, indeed, is the neutrosophic extended triplet group in [14].

Until now, for neutrosophic triplet group, some research articles are published [16,17,18,19,20,21]. At the same time, there are still some misunderstandings about this new algebraic structure. This paper will clarify some misunderstandings, especially pointing out some erroneous conclusions in [18] and will try to give improved results. In Section 2, we give some examples to illustrate which conclusions are incorrect and some misunderstandings have led to the emergence of these results. In Section 3, we prove some new important properties of neutrosophic triplet groups. In Section 4, we give some new concepts, include NT-subgroups, strong NT-subgroups, and weak commutative neutrosophic triplet groups (WCNTGs), and prove a homomorphism theorem of weak commutative neutrosophic triplet groups.

2. Preliminaries

As we all know, the concept of group is a useful tool to characterize symmetry. In the definition of classical group, unit element has operation invariance for any element, i.e., e⋅x = x⋅e = x for all x in a group (G, ⋅), where e in G is the unit element. Moreover, the inverse element x⁻¹ of x is also relative to the unit element e, and the inverse element is unique in the classical group. In [14,15], starting from the basic idea of neutrosophic set, a new algebraic structure, neutrosophic triplet group (briefly, NTG), is proposed. In NTG, the unit element is generalized as a neutral element, which is relative and local; that is, each element has its own neutral element; and the original inverse element concept is generalized as an anti (opposite) element, and it is relative to own neutral element, and it cannot be unique. In this way, NTG can express more general symmetry and has important theoretical and applied value.

Definition 1.

Assume that N is an empty set and * is a binary operation on N. Then, N is called a neutrosophic triplet set (NTS) if for any a∈ N, there exists a neutral of “a” (denoted by neut(a)), and an opposite of “a” (denoted by anti(a)) satisfying ([14,15]):

a*neut(a) = neut(a)*a = a;

a* anti(a) = anti(a)*a = neut(a).

And, the triple (a, neut(a), anti(a)) is called a neutrosophic triplet.

Note that, for a neutrosophic triplet set (N, *), a ∈ N, neut(a) and anti(a) may not be unique. In order not to cause ambiguity, we use the notations {neut(a)} and {anti(a)}; they represent the sets of neut(a) and anti(a), respectively.

Remark 1.

In the original definition in [14,15], the neutral element cannot be a unit element in the usual sense, and then this restriction is removed, using the concept of a neutrosophic extended triplet by F. Smarandache [14]. That is, the classical unit element can be regarded as a special neutral element. Here, the notion of neutrosophic triplet refers to neutrosophic extended triplet.

Definition 2.

Assume that (N, *) is a neutrosophic triplet set. Then,N is called a neutrosophic triplet group, if it satisfies ([14,15]):

(1) 

The operation * is closed, i.e.,a *b∈N,∀a,b∈N;

(2) 

The operation* is associative, i.e., (a *b) *c=a * (b *c),∀a,b,c∈N

A neutrosophic triplet group (N, *) is called to be commutative, if a * b = b* a, ∀a, b ∈ N.

3. Some Counterexamples and Misunderstandings on Neutrosophic Triplet Groups

The research idea of Ref. [18] is very good, but the main results are not true. This section first gives some counterexamples, and then analyzes some of the misunderstandings on neutrosophic triplet groups.

Example 1.

Denote N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; the operation * on N is defined by

Table 1. Commutative neutrosophic triplet group.

*	1	2	3	4	5
1	1	1	1	4	5
2	1	3	2	4	5
3	1	2	3	4	5
4	4	4	4	4	5
5	5	5	5	5	4

. Then, (N, *) is a commutative neutrosophic triplet group, and:

neut(1) = 1, {anti(1) } = {1, 2, 3}; neut(2) = 3, anti(2) = 2; neut(3) = 3, anti(3) = 3;

neut(4) = 4, {anti(4)} = {1, 2, 3, 4}; neut(5) = 4, anti(5) = 5.

Denote H = {1, 2, 3, 4}, then (H, *) is a neutrosophic triplet subgroup (according to Definition 17 in [18]). And,

1H = {1, 4}, 2H = {1, 2, 3, 4}, 3H = {1, 2, 3, 4}, 4H = {4}, 5H = {5}.

This means that Lemma 1 (2), (4), (7), and (9) in [18] are not true:

1 ∈ H, but 1H ≠ H;

1H ≠ 2H and 1H∩ 2H ≠ ∅;

1∈ H, but 1H is a neutrosophic triplet subgroup (according to Definition 17 in [18]);

|1H| ≠ |2H|.

Moreover, |H| = 4, |N| = 5, it follows that |H|$\bcancel{|}$ |N|; and the number of distinct aH in N (according to Definition 18 in [18]) is no |N|||H|. This means that Theorem 3 in [18] are not true.

Example 2.

Denote N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, the operation * on N is defined by

Table 2. Non-commutative neutrosophic triplet group.

*	1	2	3	4	5
1	1	1	1	1	1
2	2	2	2	2	2
3	4	4	3	4	5
4	4	4	4	4	4
5	4	4	5	4	3

. Then, (N, *) is a non-commutative neutrosophic triplet group, and:

neut(1) = 1, anti(1) = 1; neut(2) = 2, anti(2) = 2; neut(3) = 3, anti(3) = 3;

neut(4) = 4, {anti(4)} = {3, 4}; neut(5) = 3, anti(5) = 5.

Denote H = {1, 2, 3, 4}, then (H, *) is a neutrosophic triplet subgroup (according to Definition 17 in [18]). And:

1H = {1}, H1 = {1, 2, 4}; 2H = {2}, H2 = {1, 2, 4}; 3H = {3, 4}, H3 = {1, 2, 3, 4};

4H = {4}, H4 = {1, 2, 4}; 5H = {4, 5}, H5 = {1, 2, 4, 5}.

It follows that Theorem 4 in [18] is not true:

anti(1)*(H1) ⊆ H, anti(2)*(H2) ⊆ H, anti(3)*(H3) ⊆ H, anti(4)*(H4) ⊆ H, anti(5)*(H5) ⊆ H;

but H is not normal (according to Definition 20 in [18]).

Moreover, anti(5)*4 = 4∈ H, thus 5 = _l 4(mod H), according to Definition 19 in [18]. But 4≠ _l 5 (mod H), this means that = _l is not an equivalence relation. Therefore, Proposition 2 in [18] is not true.

4. Some New and Important Properties of Neutrosophic Triplet Groups

As mentioned earlier, from the definition of neutrosophic triplet group, there may be multiple neutral elements neut(a) of an element a. We used more than a dozen personal computers, hoping to find an example to show that neutral elements of an element do not have to be unique. Unfortunately, we spent several months without finding the desired examples. This prompted us to consider another possibility: perhaps because of the associative law, every element in a neutrosophic triplet group has a unique neutral element? Recently, we succeeded to prove that this conjecture is true.

Theorem 1.

Assume that (N, *) is a neutrosophic triplet group. Then:

(1) 

a ∈ N, neut(a) is unique.

(2) 

a ∈ N, neut(a) * neut(a) = neut(a).

Proof. 

Assume s, t ∈ {neut(a)}. Then s*a = a*s = a, t*a = a*t = a, and there exists p, q such that:

p*a = a*p = s, q*a = a*q = t.

Thus:

s*t = (p*a)*t = p*(a*t) = p*a = s.

On the other hand:

s*t = (a*p)*(a*q) = [a*(p*a)]*q = (a*s)*q = a*q = t.

Therefore, s = t = s*t. This means that neut(a) is unique, and neut(a) * neut(a) = neut(a) for any a in N. ☐

Remark 2.

For an element a in a neutrosophic triplet group (N, *), although neut(a) is unique, but we can see from Examples 1 and 2 that anti(a) is usually not unique.

Theorem 2.

Let (N, *) be a neutrosophic triplet group. Then ∀a ∈ N, ∀anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)},

(1) 

neut(a)*p = q*neut(a), for any p, q ∈ {anti(a)};.

(2) 

neut(neut(a)) = neut(a);

(3) 

anti(neut(a))*anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)};

(4) 

neut(a*a)*a = a*neut(a*a) = a; neut(a*a)*neut(a) = neut(a)*neut(a*a) = neut(a);

(5) 

neut(anti(a))*a = a*neut(anti(a)) = a; neut(anti(a))*neut(a) = neut(a)*neut(anti(a)) = neut(a);

(6) 

anti(neut(a))*a = a*anti(neut(a)) = a, for any anti(neut(a)) ∈ {anti(neut(a))};

(7) 

a ∈ {anti(neut(a)*anti(a))};

(8) 

neut(a)*anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}; anti(a)*neut(a) ∈ {anti(a)};

(9) 

a ∈ {anti(anti(a))}, that is, there exists p ∈ {anti(a)} such that a ∈ {anti(p)};

(10) 

neut(a)*anti(anti(a)) = a.

Proof. 

(1)

For any p, q ∈ {anti(a)}, according the definition of neutral and opposite element, applying Theorem 1 (1), we have:

p*a = a*p = neut(a), q*a = a*q = neut(a).
neut(a)*p = (q*a)*p = q*(a*p) = q*neut(a).

(2)

For any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and anti(neut(a)) ∈ {anti(neut(a))},

[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)]*a = anti(neut(a))*[anti(a)*a] = anti(neut(a))*neut(a) = neut(neut(a)).

On the other hand:

{[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)]*a}*neut(a) = [anti(neut(a))*anti(a)]*[a*neut(a)] =
[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)]*a = neut(neut(a)).

Thus:

neut(neut(a))*neut(a) = {[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)]*a}*neut(a) = neut(neut(a)).

Moreover, the definition of neutral element, neut(neut(a))*neut(a) = neut(a). Therefore, neut(neut(a)) = neut(a).

(3)

For any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and anti(neut(a)) ∈ {anti(neut(a))}, applying (2), we have:

[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)]*a = anti(neut(a))*[anti(a)*a] = anti(neut(a))*neut(a) = neut(neut(a)) = neut(a);
a*[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)] = [a*neut(a)]*[anti(neut(a))*anti(a)] = a*[neut(a)*anti(neut(a))]*anti(a) =
a*neut(neut(a))*anti(a) = a*neut(a)*anti(a) = a*anti(a) = neut(a).

Thus, anti(neut(a))*anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}.

(4)

According to the definition of neutral element, using the associative law, we get:

(a*a)*neut(a*a) = (a*a),
anti(a)*[(a*a)*neut(a*a)] = anti(a)*(a*a),
[anti(a)*a]*[a*neut(a*a)] = [anti(a)*a]*a,
neut(a)*[a*neut(a*a)] = neut(a)*a,
[neut(a)*a]*neut(a*a) = neut(a)*a,
a*neut(a*a) = a.

Similarly, we can get that neut(a*a)*a = a. Moreover:

neut(a)*neut(a*a) = [anti(a)*a]*neut(a*a) = anti(a)*[a*neut(a*a)] = anti(a)*a = neut(a).
neut(a*a)*neut(a) = neut(a*a)*[a*anti(a)] = [neut(a*a)*a]*anti(a) = a *anti(a) = neut(a).

(5)

For any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}, we have:

anti(a)*neut(anti(a)) = anti(a); neut(anti(a))*anti(a) = anti(a).
a*[anti(a)*neut(anti(a))] = a*anti(a); [neut(anti(a))*anti(a)]*a = anti(a)*a.
[a*anti(a)]*neut(anti(a)) = a*anti(a); neut(anti(a))*[anti(a)*a] = anti(a)*a.
neut(a)*neut(anti(a)) = neut(a); neut(anti(a))*neut(a) = neut(a).
a*[neut(a)*neut(anti(a))] = a*neut(a); [neut(anti(a))*neut(a)]*a = neut(a)*a.
[a*neut(a)]*neut(anti(a)) = a*neut(a); neut(anti(a))*[neut(a)*a] = neut(a)*a.
a*neut(anti(a)) = a; neut(anti(a))*a = a.

Moreover:

neut(a)*neut(anti(a)) = [anti(a)*a]*neut(anti(a)) = anti(a)*[a*neut(anti(a))] = anti(a)*a = neut(a).
neut(anti(a))*neut(a) = neut(anti(a))*[a*anti(a)] = [neut(anti(a))*a]*anti(a) = a *anti(a) = neut(a).

(6)

For any anti(neut(a)) ∈ {anti(neut(a))}, by the definition of opposite element, we have:

neut(a)*anti(neut(a)) = anti(neut(a))*neut(a) = neut(neut(a)).

Applying (2), neut(neut(a)) = neut(a), we get:

neut(a)*anti(neut(a)) = anti(neut(a))*neut(a) = neut(a).

Thus:

a*[neut(a)*anti(neut(a))] = a*neut(a); [anti(neut(a))*neut(a)]*a = neut(a)*a.
[a*neut(a)]*anti(neut(a)) = a*neut(a); anti(neut(a))*[neut(a)*a] = neut(a)*a.
a*anti(neut(a)) = a; anti(neut(a))*a = a.

(7)

For any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}, we have:

a*anti(a) = anti(a)*a = neut(a).
[a*neut(a)]*anti(a) = anti(a)*[neut(a)*a] = neut(a).
a*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = [anti(a)*neut(a)]*a = neut(a).

Applying (1), anti(a)*neut(a) = neut(a)*anti(a), thus:

a*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = [neut(a)*anti(a)]*a = neut(a).

Using (5), neut(a)*neut(anti(a)) = neut(a), it follows that:

a*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = [neut(a)*anti(a)]*a = neut(a)*neut(anti(a)).

On the other hand, by (1) and Theorem 1 (2):

[neut(a)*anti(a)]*[neut(a)*neut(anti(a))] = neut(a)*neut(a)*[anti(a)*neut(anti(a))] = neut(a)*anti(a);
[neut(a)*neut(anti(a))]*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = neut(a)*[neut(anti(a))*anti(a)]*neut(a) = neut(a)*anti(a).

Therefore, a ∈ {anti(neut(a)*anti(a))}.

(8)

Assume anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}, then [neut(a)*anti(a)]*a = neut(a)*[anti(a)*a] = neut(a)*neut(a). By Theorem 1 (2), neut(a)*neut(a) = neut(a). Thus, [neut(a)*anti(a)]*a = neut(a). On the other hand,

a*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = [a*neut(a)]*anti(a) = a*anti(a) = neut(a).

Therefore:

[neut(a)*anti(a)]*a = a*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = neut(a).

This means that neut(a)*anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}. Similarly, we can get anti(a)*neut(a) ∈ {anti(a)}.

(9)

For any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}, denote p = neut(a)*anti(a). Using (8) we have p ∈ {anti(a)}. Moreover, by Theorem 1 (2):

neut(a)*p = neut(a)*[neut(a)*anti(a)] = [neut(a)*neut(a)]*anti(a) = neut(a)*anti(a) = p.

From this and applying (7), a ∈ {anti(neut(a)*p)} = {anti(p)}, p ∈ {anti(a)}.

(10)

Assume anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and anti(anti(a)) ∈ {anti(anti(a))}, by the definition of opposite element, we have:

anti(a)*anti(anti(a)) = neut(anti(a)).

Thus:

a*[anti(a)*anti(anti(a))] = a*neut(anti(a)).
[a*anti(a)]*anti(anti(a)) = a*neut(anti(a)).
neut(a)*anti(anti(a)) = a*neut(anti(a)).

Applying (5), a*neut(anti(a)) = a, it follows that:

neut(a)*anti(anti(a)) = a.

 ☐

Example 3.

Let Z₆ = {[0], [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]}, * is classical mod multiplication, then (Z₆, *) is a commutative neutrosophic triplet group, see Example 10 in [16].

We can show that (they correspond to the conclusions of Theorem 2):

(1)

[2]*[4] = [5]*[2], [2]*[5] = [4]*[2], that is, for any p, q ∈ {anti([2])}, neut([2])*p = q*neut([2]).

(2)

neut(neut([0])) = neut([0]) = [0],neut(neut([1])) = neut([1]) = [1],neut(neut([2])) = neut([2]) = [4],neut(neut([3])) = neut([3]) = [3],neut(neut([4])) = neut([4]) = [4],neut(neut([5])) = neut([5]) = [1].

(3)

Since neut([2]) = [4], {anti([4])} = {[1], [4]} and {anti([2])} = {[2], [5]}, so anti(neut([2])) = anti([4]) = {[1], [4]}, and [1]*[2] = [2] ∈ {anti([2])}, [1]*[5] = [5] ∈ {anti([5])}, [4]*[2] = [2] ∈ {anti([2])}, [4]*[5] = [2] ∈ {anti([2])}. This means that anti(neut([2]))*anti([2]) ∈ {anti([2])} for any anti([2]) ∈ {anti([2])} and any anti(neut([2])) ∈ {anti(neut([2]))}.

(4)

neut([0]*[0])*[0] = [0]*neut([0]*[0]) = [0],neut([0]*[0])* neut([0]) = neut([0])*neut([0]*[0]) = [0]; neut([1]*[1])*[1] = [1]*neut([1]*[1]) = [1],neut([1]*[1])* neut([1]) = neut([1])*neut([1]*[1]) = [1]; and so on. This means that (4) hold for all a ∈ Z₆.

(5)

Since {anti([2])} = {[2], [5]}, so neut(anti([2])) = [4] or [1]. From [4]*[2] = [2]*[4] = [2] and [1]*[2] = [2]*[1] = [2] we know that neut(anti([2]))*[2] = [2]*neut(anti([2])) = [2] for any anti([2]) ∈ {anti([2])} and any neut(anti([2])) ∈ {neut(anti([2]))}. Note that, since {neut(anti([2]))} = {[4], [1]}; when anti([2]) = [5], neut(anti([2])) = [1] ≠ neut([2]), this means that neut(anti(a)) = neut(a) is not true in general.

(6)

Since {anti(neut([2]))} = {[1], [4]}, from this and [1]*[2] = [2]*[1] = [2] and [4]*[2] = [2]*[4] = [2] we know that anti(neut([2]))*[2] = [2]*anti(neut([2])) = [2] for any anti(neut([2])) ∈ {anti(neut ([2]))}. Note that, since {anti(neut([2]))} = {[1], [4]}; when anti(neut([2])) = [1], anti(neut([2])) ≠ neut([2]), this means that anti(neut(a)) = neut(a) is not true in general.

(7)

Since {anti(neut([2]))} = {[1], [4]} and {anti([2])} = {[2], [5]}, so {anti(neut([2]))*anti([2])} = {[2], [5]}, that is, [2] ∈ {anti(neut([2]))*anti([2])}.

(8)

Since neut([2]) = [4] and {anti([2])} = {[2], [5]}, from [4]*[2] = [4]*[5] = [2] we know that neut([2])*anti([2]) ∈ {anti([2])}.

(9)

Since neut([2]) = [4] and {anti([2])} = {[2], [5]}, so {anti(anti([2]))} = {[2], [5]}. Thus, from [4]*[2] = [4]*[5] = [2] we know that neut([2])*anti(anti([2])) = [2] for any anti([2]) ∈ {anti([2])} and anti(anti([2])) ∈ {anti(anti([2]))}. Note that, since {anti(2)} = {[2], [5]}; when anti([2]) = [5], anti(anti([2])) = [5] ≠ [2], this means that anti(anti(a)) = a is not true in general.

Theorem 3.

Assume that (N, *) is a commutative neutrosophic triplet group. Then∀ a, b ∈ N:

(1) 

neut(a) * neut(b) = neut(a*b).

(2) 

anti(a) * anti(b)∈ {anti(a*b)}.

Proof. 

If a, b ∈ N, then:

[neut(a)*neut(b)]*(a*b) = {[neut(a)*neut(b)]*a}*b = {[neut(a)*a]*neut(b)}*b = [a*neut(b)]*b
= a*[neut(b)*b] = a*b.

Similarly, we have (a*b)*[neut(a)*neut(b)] = a*b. That is:

(a*b)*[neut(a)*neut(b)] = [neut(a)*neut(b)]*(a*b) = a*b.

(1)

Moreover, for any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and anti(b) ∈ {anti(b)}, we have:

[anti(a)*anti(b)]*(a*b) = {[anti(a)*anti(b)]*a}*b = {[anti(a)*a]*anti(b)}*b = [neut(a)*anti(b)]*b
= neut(a)*[anti(b)*b] = neut(a)*neut(b).

Similarly, we have (a*b)*[anti(a)*anti(b)] = neut(a)*neut(b). That is:

(a*b)*[anti(a)*anti(b)] = [anti(a)*anti(b)]*(a*b) = neut(a)*neut(b).

(2)

Combining (1) and (2), we have neut(a)*neut(b) ∈ {neut(a*b)}. From this, by Theorem 1, we get: neut(a)*neut(b) = neut(a*b). Therefore, using (2), we get anti(a)*anti(b) ∈ {anti(a*b)}. ☐

5. NT-subgroups and Weak Commutative Neutrosophic Tripet Groups

The notion of subgroup is an important basic concept for neutrosophic triplet groups, but the definitions in the existing literatures are not consistent (see [14,15,18,20]). In order to avoid ambiguity, this paper gives a new definition and formally named NT-subgroup. Moreover, this section will discuss an important kind of neutrosophic triplet groups, call weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group (WCNTG). We will prove some well-known properties of WCNTG and a homomorphism theorem by special NT-subgroups.

Definition 3.

Assume that (N,*) is a neutrosophic triplet group and H be a nonempty subset of N. Then H is called a NT-subgroup of N if;

(1) 

a*b∈ H for all a, b∈ H;

(2) 

there exists anti(a)∈ {anti(a)} such that anti(a)∈ H for all a∈ H, where{anti(a)} is the set of opposite element of a in (N,*).

Proposition 1.

Assume that (N,*) is a neutrosophic triplet group. If H is a NT- subgroup of N, then neut(a) ∈ H for all a ∈ H, where neut(a) is the neutral element of a in (N,*).

Proof. 

For any a ∈ H, by Theorem 1 (1) we know that neut(a) is unique. Applying Definition 3, we get that there exists anti(a) ∈ H and neut(a) = a*anti(a) ∈ H. ☐

Remark 3.

(1) For a NT-subgroup H of N, where (N, *) is a neutrosophic triplet group, a ∈ H, by Definition 3 we know that not all anti(a) is in H; in fact, at least one can be in H. (2) By Proposition 1, a ∈ H implies neut(a) ∈ H. But H does not necessarily contain neut(b) for all b ∈ N. For example, let N = Z₆ in Example 3 and H = {[0], [2], [3], [4]}, then H is a NT-subgroup of (Z₆, *), and (1) [2] ∈ H but {anti([2])} is not a subset of H; (2) {neut(a)|a ∈ N = Z₆} = {[0], [1], [3], [4]} is not a subset of H.

Definition 4.

Assume that (N,∗) is a neutrosophic triplet group. N is called a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group (briefly, WCNTG) if a* neut(b) = neut(b)* a for all a, b ∈ N.

Obviously, every commutative neutrosophic triplet group is weak commutative. The following example shows that there exists non-commutative neutrosophic triplet group which is weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group.

Example 4.

Put N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}, and define the operation * on N as

Table 3. Weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group.

*	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
2	2	1	6	5	4	3	7
3	3	5	1	6	2	4	7
4	4	6	5	1	3	2	7
5	5	3	4	2	6	1	7
6	6	4	2	3	1	5	7
7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7

. Then, (N, *) is a non-commutative neutrosophic triplet group, and:

neut(1) = 1, anti(1) = 1; neut(2) = 1, anti(2) = 2; neut(3) = 1, anti(3) = 3; neut(4) = 1, anti(4) = 4;
neut(5) = 1, anti(5) = 6; neut(6) = 1, anti(6) = 5; neut(7) = 7, {anti(7)} = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}.

It is easy to verify that (N, *) is a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group.

Proposition 2.

Assume that (N,*) is a neutrosophic triplet group. Then (N,*) is weak commutative if and only if N satisfies the following conditions:

(1) 

neut(a)*neut(b) = neut(b)*neut(a) for all a, b∈ N.

(2) 

neut(a)*neut(b)*a = a*neut(b) for all a, b∈ N.

Proof. 

If (N, *) is a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group, then (using Definition 4):

neut(a)*neut(b) = neut(b)*neut(a), ∀a, b ∈ N.

And:

neut(a)*neut(b)*a = neut(a)*[neut(b)*a] = neut(a)*[a*neut(b)] = [neut(a)*a]*neut(b) = a*neut(b).

Conversely, assume that N satisfies the conditions (1) and (2) above. Then:

a*neut(b) = [neut(a)*neut(b)]*a = [neut(b)*neut(a)]*a = neut(b)*[neut(a)*a] = neut(b)*a.

From Definition 4 we know that (N, *) is a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group. ☐

Proposition 3.

Let (N,*) be a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group. Then ∀ a, b ∈ N:

(1) 

neut(a)*neut(b) = neut(b*a);

(2) 

anti(a)*anti(b) ∈ {anti(b*a)}.

Proof. 

If a, b ∈ N, then:

[neut(a)*neut(b)]*(b*a) = {[neut(a)*neut(b)]*b}*a = {neut(a)*[b*neut(b)]}*a = [neut(a)*b]*a
= [b*neut(a)]*a = b*[neut(a)*a] = b*a.

Similarly, we have (b*a)*[neut(a)*neut(b)] = b*a. That is:

(b*a)*[neut(a)*neut(b)] = [neut(a)*neut(b)]*(b*a) = b*a.

(3)

Moreover, for any anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and anti(b) ∈ {anti(b)}, we have:

[anti(a)*anti(b)]*(b*a) = {[anti(a)*anti(b)]*b}*a = {anti(a)*[anti(b)*b]}*a = [anti(a)*neut(b)]*a
= anti(a)*[neut(b)*a] = anti(a)*[a*neut(b)] = [anti(a)*a]*neut(b) = neut(a)*neut(b).

Similarly, we have (b*a)*[anti(a)*anti(b)] = neut(a)*neut(b). That is:

(b*a)*[anti(a)*anti(b)] = [anti(a)*anti(b)]*(b*a) = neut(a)*neut(b).

(4)

Combining (3) and (4), we have neut(a)*neut(b) ∈ {neut(b*a)}. From this, by Theorem 1, we get neut(a)*neut(b) = neut(b*a). Therefore, using (4), we get anti(a)*anti(b) ∈ {anti(b*a)}. ☐

Definition 5.

Let (N,*) be a neutrosophic triplet group and H be a NT-subgroup of N. Then H is called a strong NT- subgroup of N if:

(1) 

neut(a) ∈ H for all a ∈ N.

(2) 

if there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and p ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H, then there exists anti(b) ∈ {anti(b)} and q ∈ N such that a*anti(b)*neut(q) ∈ H; and the inverse is true.

Example 5.

Let (N, *) be the neutrosophic triplet group in Example 4 and H₁ = {1, 7}, H₂ = {1, 5, 6, 7}. Then H₁ and H₂ are two strong NT-subgroups of N.

Proposition 4.

Let ((N, *) be a group (as a special neutrosophic triplet group) and H be a normal subgroup of N. Then ((N, *) is a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group and H is a strong NT-subgroup of N.

Proof. 

For group (N, *) with identity e, neut(a) = e and anti(a) = a⁻¹ for any a ∈ N.

It is easy to verify that a* neut(b) = neut(b)* a for all a, b ∈ N. From this, by Definition 4 we know that (N, *) is a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group.

For normal subgroup H, by Definition 3, H is a NT-subgroup of N. Moreover, H satisfies the condition in Definition 5 (1).

Now, assume that there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and p ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H, this means that a⁻¹*b ∈ H. Denote h = a⁻¹*b ∈ H. Then a = b*h⁻¹. Since H is a normal subgroup of N, h⁻¹ ∈ H and there exists h₁ ∈ H such that b*h⁻¹ = h₁*b. Thus, a = h₁*b, a*b⁻¹ = h₁ ∈ H. That is, there exists b⁻¹ = anti(b) ∈ {anti(b)} and a ∈ N such that a*anti(b)*neut(a) = a*b⁻¹*e = a*b⁻¹ = h₁ ∈ H. Similarly, we can prove the inverse is true.

Therefore, H satisfies the condition in Definition 5 (2), and H is a strong NT-subgroup of N. ☐

Theorem 4.

Let (N, *) be a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group and H be a strong NT-subgroup of N. Define binary relation ≈_H on N as follows: ∀a, b ∈ N:

a ≈ _Hb if and only if there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and p ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H.

Then:

(1) 

the binary relation≈ _H is an equivalent relation on N;

(2) 

a ≈ _Hb implies c*a ≈_H c*b for all c ∈ N;

(3) 

a ≈ _Hb implies a*c ≈_H b*c and c*a ≈ _H c*b for all c ∈ N;

(4) 

denote the equivalent class contained a by [a]_H, and denote N/H = {[a]_H|a∈ N}, define binary operation * on N/H as follows: [a]_H *[b]_H = [a*b]_H,∀a, b∈ N. We can obtain a homomorphism from(N, *) to (N/H, *), that is, f: N→N/H; f(a) = [a]_H for all a∈ N.

Proof. 

(1)

For any a ∈ N, applying Theorem 1 we have:

anti(a)*a*neut(a) = [anti(a)*a]*neut(a) = neut(a)*neut(a) = neut(a) ∈ H.

Thus a ≈ _H a.

• If a ≈ _H b, then there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and p ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H. Denote h = anti(a)*b*neut(p), then h ∈ H and:

  a*h = a*[anti(a)*b*neut(p)],
  a*h = neut(a)*b*neut(p),
  a*h = b*neut(a)*neut(p), (by Definition 4)
  anti(b)*(a*h) = anti(b)*[b*neut(a)*neut(p)],
  [anti(b)*a]*h = neut(b)*neut(a)*neut(p),
  {[anti(b)*a]*h}*anti(h) = [neut(b)*neut(a)*neut(p)]*anti(h),
  anti(b)*a*neut(h) = [neut(b)*neut(a)*neut(p)]*anti(h).

  Applying Definition 3 we have [neut(b)*neut(a)*neut(p)]*anti(h) ∈ H, thus anti(b)*a*neut(h) ∈ H, this means that b ≈ _H a.
• If a≈_H b and b ≈ _H c, then there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}, anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)}, p ∈ N and q ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H, anti(b)*c*neut(q) ∈ H. Denote h₁ = anti(a)*b*neut(p), h₂ = anti(b)*c*neut(q), then h₁ ∈ H, h₂ ∈ H and:

  b*h₂ = b*[anti(b)*c*neut(q)] = [b*anti(b)]*[c*neut(q)] = neut(b)*c*neut(q).

  From this and h₁ = anti(a)*b*neut(p), using Definition 4 we get:

  h₁*h₂                  
  = [anti(a)*b*neut(p)]*h₂       
  = [anti(a)*b]*[neut(p)*h₂]       
  = [anti(a)*b]*[h₂*neut(p)]       
  = anti(a)*(b*h₂)*neut(p)       
  = anti(a)*[neut(b)*c*neut(q)]*neut(p)  
  = anti(a)*[neut(b)*c]*[neut(q)*neut(p)]
  = anti(a)*[c*neut(b)]*[neut(q)*neut(p)]
  = [anti(a)*c]*[neut(b)*neut(q)*neut(p)]

  By Definition 3 we have h₁*h₂ ∈ H; using Proposition 3 (1), neut(b)*neut(q)*neut(p) = neut(p*q*b). Hence:

  anti(a)*c*neut(p*q*b) = h₁*h₂ ∈ H.

  This means that a ≈ _H c. Therefore, ≈_H is an equivalent relation on N.

(2)

Assume a ≈ _H b. Then there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and p ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H. Denote:h = anti(a)*b*neut(p), then h ∈ H and:

h*neut(c)            
= [anti(a)*b*neut(p)]*neut(c)   
= [anti(a)*b]*[neut(p)*neut(c)] 
= [anti(a)*b]*[neut(c)*neut(p)] 
= anti(a)*[b*neut(c)]*neut(p)   
= anti(a)*[neut(c)*b]*neut(p)   
= [anti(a)*neut(c)]*[b*neut(p)] 
= [anti(a)*anti(c)*c]*[b*neut(p)] 
= [anti(a)*anti(c)]*(c*b)*neut(p).

Using Proposition 3 (2), anti(a)*anti(c) ∈ {anti(c*a)}. Thus, there exists anti(c*a) ∈ {anti(c*a)} such that:

anti(c*a)*(c*b)*neut(p) = h*neut(c) ∈ H.

This means that (c*a) ≈ _H (c*b).

(1)

Assume a ≈_H b. Then there exists anti(a) ∈ {anti(a)} and p ∈ N such that anti(a)*b*neut(p) ∈ H. Applying Definition 5 (2), there exists anti(b) ∈ {anti(b)} and q ∈ N such that a*anti(b)*neut(q) ∈ H. Denote h = a*anti(b)*neut(q), then h ∈ H and:

neut(c)*h             
= neut(c)*[a*anti(b)*neut(q)]   
= [neut(c)*a]*[anti(b)*neut(q)]   
= [a*neut(c)]*[anti(b)*neut(q)]   
= {a*[c*anti(c)]}*[anti(b)*neut(q)] 
= (a*c)*[anti(c)*anti(b)]*neut(q). 

Using Proposition 3 (2), anti(c)*anti(b) ∈ {anti(b*c)}. Thus, there exists anti(b*c) ∈ {anti(b*c)} such that:

(a*c)*anti(b*c)*neut(q) = neut(c)*h ∈ H.

Applying Definition 5 (2), there exists anti(a*c) ∈ {anti(a*c)} and r ∈ N such that:

anti(a*c)*(b*c)*neut(r) ∈ H.

This means that (a*c) ≈_H (b*c).

(2)

Using (1)–(3) we can obtain (4). ☐

Example 6.

Let N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}. The operation * on N is defined as

Table 4. Weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group and its strong neutrosophic triplet (NT)-subgroup.

*	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
1	1	2	3	4	5	6	1
2	2	1	6	5	4	3	2
3	3	5	1	6	2	4	3
4	4	6	5	1	3	2	4
5	5	3	4	2	6	1	5
6	6	4	2	3	1	5	6
7	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

. Then, (N, *) is a non- commutative neutrosophic triplet group, and:

neut(1) = 1, anti(1) = 1; neut(2) = 1, anti(2) = 2;
neut(3) = 1, anti(3) = 3; neut(4) = 1, anti(4) = 4;
neut(5) = 1, anti(5) = 6; neut(6) = 1, anti(6) = 5; neut(7) = 7, anti(7) = 7.

It is easy to verify that (N, *) is a weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group. Denote H = {1, 5, 6, 7}. Then H is a strong NT-subgroups of N.

Thus we can get that (they correspond to the conclusions of Theorem 4):

(1)

The relation ≈_H is an equivalent relation on N and N/H = {{1, 5, 6, 7}, {2, 3, 4}}.

(2)

1 ≈ _H 5 implies 2*1 = 2 ≈_H 4 = 2*5, and so on.

(3)

1 ≈ _H 5 implies 1*2 = 2 ≈_H 3 = 5*2, and so on.

(4)

(N/H, *) = {[1]_H, [2]_H}, (N, *)$\stackrel{f}{\simeq }$(N/H, *), where f(1) = f(5) = f(6) = f(7) = [1]_H, and f(2) = f(3) = f(4) = [2]_H.

Remark 4.

Applying Proposition 4 we know that Theorem 4 is a generalization of homomorphism basic theorem in classical group theory. Moreover, Theorem 4 is also a generalization of related results in [17].

6. Conclusions

This paper studied furtherly neutrosophic triplet group (NTG) and obtained some important results. First, some examples are given to show that some results in [18] are not true. Second, some new properties of neutrosophic triplet groups are presented, in particular, the fact of unique neutral element in every neutrosophic triplet group is proved. Third, the notions of NT-subgroup and strong NT-subgroup are proposed, a special kind of NTG (called weak commutative neutrosophic triplet group) is studied, and a homomorphism theorem is presented. All these results are interesting for exploring the structure characterizations of NTG. As the next research topics, we will explore the structures of some special NTG and their relationships with related logic algebras (such as BE-algebras and pseudo-BCI algebras [21,22,23]).