Can Tensor Products Reveal Ring Isomorphisms?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Euge
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving that the tensor product $\Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z \otimes_{\Bbb Z} \Bbb Z/n\Bbb Z$ is isomorphic to $\Bbb Z/\text{gcd}(m,n)\Bbb Z$. This result is established through the properties of tensor products in the context of modules over rings, specifically utilizing the structure of integers modulo $m$ and $n$. The proof leverages the relationship between the greatest common divisor and the tensor product, confirming the isomorphism definitively.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tensor products in algebra
  • Familiarity with modules over rings
  • Knowledge of the properties of $\Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z$ and $\Bbb Z/n\Bbb Z$
  • Concept of greatest common divisor (gcd)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of tensor products in module theory
  • Explore the relationship between gcd and modular arithmetic
  • Learn about isomorphisms in algebraic structures
  • Investigate applications of tensor products in homological algebra
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, algebra students, and educators interested in advanced algebraic concepts, particularly those focusing on module theory and tensor products.

Euge
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
2,072
Reaction score
245
Here is my first problem!

-------

Show that $\Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z \otimes_{\Bbb Z} \Bbb Z/n\Bbb Z$ is isomorphic to $\Bbb Z/\text{gcd}(m,n)\Bbb Z$.

-------Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No one solved this week's problem. You can find my solution below.

Let $d = \text{gcd}(m, n)$. Then $d$ divides $m$ and $n$, so there is a well defined $\Bbb Z$-bilinear map $([x]_m, [y]_n) \mapsto [xy]_d$ from $\Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z \times \Bbb Z/nZ$ to $\Bbb Z/d\Bbb Z$. It induces a homomorphism $f : \Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z \otimes_{\Bbb Z} \Bbb Z/n\Bbb Z \to \Bbb Z/d\Bbb Z$ such that $f([x]_m \otimes [y]_n) = [xy]_d$. Consider the homomorphism $x \mapsto x([1]_m \otimes [1]_n)$ from $\Bbb Z$ to $\Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z \otimes_{\Bbb Z} \Bbb Z/n\Bbb Z$. Its kernel contains $d\Bbb Z$, since $d$ is a $\Bbb Z$-linear combination of $m$ and $n$, $[1]_m \otimes [m]_n = [m]_m \otimes [1]_n = 0$ and $[1]_m \otimes [n]_n = 0$. So it induces a homomorphism $g : \Bbb Z/d\Bbb Z \to \Bbb Z/m\Bbb Z \otimes_{\Bbb Z} \Bbb Z/n\Bbb Z$ such that $g([x]_d) = [1]_m \otimes [x]_n$. Now

$$fg([x]_d) = f([1]_m \otimes [x]_n)) = [x]_d$$

and

$$ gf([x]_m \otimes [y]_n) = g([xy]_d) = [1]_m \otimes [xy]_d = [x]_m \otimes [y]_n,$$

whence $f$ and $g$ are inverses of each other. Therefore $f$ is an isomorphism.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K