Undergrad Commutative diagrams and equality of composition

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of commutative diagrams in category theory, specifically addressing the equality of morphisms through composition. The example provided illustrates the relationship between morphisms h, f, k, and g, demonstrating that if the diagram commutes, then the compositions h ∘ f and k ∘ g are indeed equal. This equality is established through the elementwise condition h(f(a)) = k(g(a)) for all a in set A, confirming that the morphisms are equivalent despite potential differences in intermediate objects B and C.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of category theory concepts
  • Familiarity with morphisms and their compositions
  • Knowledge of commutative diagrams
  • Basic mathematical notation and logic
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of commutative diagrams in category theory
  • Explore the concept of isomorphisms and their implications in morphism equality
  • Learn about functors and their role in mapping between categories
  • Investigate examples of commutative diagrams in algebraic structures
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of category theory, and anyone interested in the foundational aspects of abstract algebra and morphism relationships.

Mr Davis 97
Messages
1,461
Reaction score
44
I am a little bit confused on how commutative diagrams show equality of two morphisms. For example, one can imagine the diagram for hf = kg, where composing f and g is the same morphism as composing h and k:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Commutative_square.svg

Why does the commutativity of this diagram imply equality of the composition h and f, and k and g? Wouldn't the commutativity just show that hf and kg have the same domain and codomain but are not necessarily the same map?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The commutativity works elementwise: ##h(f(a))=k(g(a))\,\forall\,a\in A##. There might happen different things in between (at ##B## and ##C##), but the compositions are equal ##h\circ f = k \circ g##.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
932
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K