Jump to content

Fundamental theorem on homomorphisms

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Chas zzz brown (talk | contribs) at 07:27, 26 October 2002 (ugly ascii diagram replaced). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For some algebraic structures the fundamental theorem on homomorphisms relates the structure of two objects between which a homomorphism is given, and of the kernel and image of the homomorphism.

For groups, the theorem states:

Let G and H be groups; let f : G->H be a group homomorphism; let K be the kernel of f; let φ be the natural surjective homomorphism G->G/K. Then there exists a unique homomorphism h:G/K->H such that f = h φ. Moreover, h is injective and provides an isomorphism between G/K and the image of f.

The situation is described by the diagram:

Similar theorems are valid for vector spaces, modules, and rings.