(Apparently) simple question rearding module homomorphisms

In summary, the conversation is about Proposition 27 from Dummit and Foote's Chapter 10 on Module Theory. The person is having trouble understanding why a conclusion to the proposition is considered "immediate". Another person explains that they need to verify that a certain function is a homomorphism and provides a detailed explanation using arbitrary elements.
  • #1
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I am reading Dummit and Foote Chapter 10: Introduction to Module Theory.

I am having difficulty seeing exactly why a conclusion to Proposition 27 that D&F claim is "immediate":

I hope someone can help.

Proposition 27 and its proof read as follows:

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/2461

In the first line of the proof (see above) D&F state the following:

"The fact that \(\displaystyle \psi \) is a homomorphism is immediate."

Can someone please explain exactly why \(\displaystyle \psi \) is a homomorphism?

Would appreciate some help.

Peter
 
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  • #2
We have to verify that for:

$f,g \in \text{Hom}_R(D,L)$ that:

$\psi'(f+g) = \psi'(f) + \psi'(g)$ in $\text{Hom}_R(D,M)$.

To do this, let's take an arbitrary element $d \in D$.

Then:

$(\psi'(f+g))(d) = (\psi \circ (f+g))(d) = \psi((f+g)(d)) = \psi(f(d)+g(d)) = \psi(f(d)) + \psi(g(d))$ (since $\psi$ is a module homomorphism)

$= (\psi \circ f)(d) + (\psi \circ g)(d) = (\psi'(f))(d) + (\psi'(g))(d) = (\psi'(f) + \psi'(g))(d)$.

Since these two functions are equal for every $d \in D$, they are the same element of $\text{Hom}_R(D,M)$.
 

1. What is a module homomorphism?

A module homomorphism is a function between two modules that preserves the module structure. This means that the function maps the elements of one module to elements of the other module in a way that respects the addition and scalar multiplication operations.

2. How is a module homomorphism different from a group homomorphism?

While both a module homomorphism and a group homomorphism are functions that preserve a certain structure, they operate on different algebraic structures. A module homomorphism operates on modules, which are vector spaces over a ring, while a group homomorphism operates on groups, which are sets with a binary operation. In other words, a group homomorphism preserves the group structure, while a module homomorphism preserves the module structure.

3. Can a module homomorphism be a one-to-one function?

Yes, a module homomorphism can be a one-to-one function. This means that each element in the domain maps to a unique element in the codomain. However, in order for a module homomorphism to be one-to-one, it must also be onto, meaning that every element in the codomain is mapped to by at least one element in the domain.

4. What is the kernel of a module homomorphism?

The kernel of a module homomorphism is the set of elements in the domain that are mapped to the zero element in the codomain. In other words, it is the subset of the domain that is mapped to the identity element in the codomain.

5. How do you compose two module homomorphisms?

To compose two module homomorphisms, you simply apply one homomorphism after the other. This means that the output of the first homomorphism becomes the input of the second homomorphism. The resulting composition will still be a homomorphism as long as the two original homomorphisms are compatible, meaning that the codomain of the first homomorphism is the same as the domain of the second homomorphism.

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