In algebra, an element of finite order is called a torsion, and a subgroup consisting of all torsions of a group is call a torsion subgroup. And I just got curioused about the term 'torsion'; who named it and why; because that term appears a bit randomly in math - like Euler's torsion function. As a non-native English speaker myself, I don't see the relationship between the term and the concepts; if I'm not mistaken, torsion means twisting.
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I guess it refers to the twisting of the powers, which "make a full turn" and go back to the start. Like the powers of $e^{i2\pi / n}$, which are points on the unit circle. – Giuseppe Negro Sep 20 '19 at 10:32
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@GiuseppeNegro Thank you for the comment. May I ask you the meaning of torsion in the Euler's torsion function? – user642721 Sep 20 '19 at 10:34