Semiring systems arising from hyperrings

Abstract

Hyperfields and systems are two algebraic frameworks which have been developed to provide a unified approach to classical and tropical structures. All hyperfields, and more generally hyperrings, can be represented by systems. Conversely, we show that the systems arising in this way, called {\it hypersystems}, are characterized by certain elimination axioms. Systems are preserved under standard algebraic constructions; for instance matrices and polynomials over hypersystems are systems, but not hypersystems. We illustrate these results by discussing several examples of systems and hyperfields, and constructions like matroids over systems.