Inversion invariant additive subgroups of division rings (Q996141)

Let \(D\) be a division ring in which \(2\) is invertible. Let \(T\) be an additive subgroup of \(D\). One calls \(T\) inversion invariant if for every nonzero element \(t\in T\) the (multiplicative) inverse \(t^{-1}\) is again in \(T\). The authors give a complete classification of inversion invariant additive subgroups \(T\) of a division ring \(D\) of characteristic not \(2\), such that \(T\) generates \(D\) as a ring. One of the ingredients in the proof is a classical identity of L. K. Hua; let \(R\) be a ring and \(a,b\in R\) be such that \(a,b\) and \(ab-1\) are invertible. Then \[ ((a-b^{-1})^{-1}-a^{-1})^{-1}=aba-a. \] The authors also classify inversion invariant subgroups of fields, which generate the field, in all characteristics.