In mathematics, specifically abstract algebra, the opposite of a ring is another ring with the same elements and addition operation, but with the multiplication performed in the reverse order. More explicitly, the opposite of a ring (R, +, ⋅) is the ring (R, +, ∗) whose multiplication ∗ is defined by a ∗ b = b ⋅ a for all a, b in R.[1][2] The opposite ring can be used to define multimodules, a generalization of bimodules. They also help clarify the relationship between left and right modules (see § Properties).
Monoids, groups, rings, and algebras can all be viewed as categories with a single object. The construction of the opposite category generalizes the opposite group, opposite ring, etc.