n 實數向量空間 L (想成 R n ), 一個「交換子」(commutator) [ X , Y ] ,而且 1. [ X , Y ] in L for all X , Y in L . 2. [ a X + b Y , Z ] = a [ X , Z ] + b [ Y , Z ] for all X , Y , Z in L . 3. [ X , Y ] = - [ Y , X ] for all X , Y in L . 4. [ X , [ Y , Z ] ] + [ Y , [ Z , X ] ] + [ Z , [ X , Y ] ] = 0 for all X , Y , Z in L .