Editing Free algebra (section)

{{Short description|Free object in the category of associative algebras}}
{{About|free algebras in ring theory|the more general free algebras in universal algebra|Free object}}
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In [[mathematics]], especially in the area of [[abstract algebra]] known as [[ring theory]], a '''free algebra''' is the noncommutative analogue of a [[polynomial ring]] since its elements may be described as "polynomials" with non-commuting variables. Likewise, the [[polynomial ring]] may be regarded as a '''free commutative algebra'''.