How to Construct a Cayley Table

A detailed tutorial on how to construct a Cayley table. Step by step tutorial including several examples of how to construct a Cayley table for reference.

A Cayley table is a table that expresses the structure of a finite set. A Cayley table is set up by having the elements of the set across the first row, and numbers going in a numerical order of n + 1 starting at 1 down the first column. Sometimes the table is simply different ways the elements can be ordered. Other times is is a true table, where an operation is performed between two numbers in the space where they cross each other. However, a true Cayley table must be constructed using an identity skeleton. Once an identity skeleton for the finite set has been decided on, the Cayley table can be filled out using the identity skeleton. Since there is more than one possible identity skeleton for a finite set, you may have to go through a trial and error process until you find the right one.