Centralizer and normalizer

In mathematics, especially group theory, the centralizer (also called commutant^[1][2]) of a subset S in a group G is the set ${\displaystyle \operatorname {C} _{G}(S)}$ of elements of G that commute with every element of S, or equivalently, the set of elements ${\displaystyle g\in G}$ such that conjugation by ${\displaystyle g}$ leaves each element of S fixed. The normalizer of S in G is the set of elements ${\displaystyle \mathrm {N} _{G}(S)}$ of G that satisfy the weaker condition of leaving the set ${\displaystyle S\subseteq G}$ fixed under conjugation. The centralizer and normalizer of S are subgroups of G. Many techniques in group theory are based on studying the centralizers and normalizers of suitable subsets S.

Suitably formulated, the definitions also apply to semigroups.

In ring theory, the centralizer of a subset of a ring is defined with respect to the multiplication of the ring (a semigroup operation). The centralizer of a subset of a ring R is a subring of R. This article also deals with centralizers and normalizers in a Lie algebra.

The idealizer in a semigroup or ring is another construction that is in the same vein as the centralizer and normalizer.