What is "additive identity"

n. (context algebra English) An element of an algebraic structure, generally denoted ''0'', which is an identity for an additive operation (generally denoted ''+''). That is, ''x + 0 = 0 + x = x'' for any ''x'' in the structure.

In mathematics the additive identity of a set which is equipped with the operation of addition is an element which, when added to any element x in the set, yields x. One of the most familiar additive identities is the number 0 from elementary mathematics, but additive identities occur in other mathematical structures where addition is defined, such as in groups and rings.