Group Homomorphism - Types of Homomorphic Maps

Types of Homomorphic Maps

If the homomorphism h is a bijection, then one can show that its inverse is also a group homomorphism, and h is called a group isomorphism; in this case, the groups G and H are called isomorphic: they differ only in the notation of their elements and are identical for all practical purposes.

If h: GG is a group homomorphism, we call it an endomorphism of G. If furthermore it is bijective and hence an isomorphism, it is called an automorphism. The set of all automorphisms of a group G, with functional composition as operation, forms itself a group, the automorphism group of G. It is denoted by Aut(G). As an example, the automorphism group of (Z, +) contains only two elements, the identity transformation and multiplication with -1; it is isomorphic to Z/2Z.

An epimorphism is a surjective homomorphism, that is, a homomorphism which is onto as a function. A monomorphism is an injective homomorphism, that is, a homomorphism which is one-to-one as a function.

Read more about this topic:  Group Homomorphism

Famous quotes containing the words types and/or maps:

    He types his laboured column—weary drudge!
    Senile fudge and solemn:
    Spare, editor, to condemn
    These dry leaves of his autumn.
    Robertson Davies (b. 1913)

    And now good morrow to our waking souls,
    Which watch not one another out of fear;
    For love all love of other sights controls,
    And makes one little room an everywhere.
    Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
    Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,
    Let us possess one world; each hath one, and is one.
    John Donne (1572–1631)