Definition:Endomorphism
Definition
An endomorphism is a homomorphism from an algebraic structure into itself.
Semigroup Endomorphism
Let $\left({S, \circ}\right)$ be a semigroups.
Let $\phi: S \to S$ be a (semigroup) homomorphism from $S$ to itself.
Then $\phi$ is a semigroup endomorphism.
Group Endomorphism
Let $\struct {G, \circ}$ be a group.
Let $\phi: G \to G$ be a (group) homomorphism from $G$ to itself.
Then $\phi$ is a group endomorphism.
Ring Endomorphism
Let $\struct {R, +, \circ}$ be a ring.
Let $\phi: R \to R$ be a (ring) homomorphism from $R$ to itself.
Then $\phi$ is a ring endomorphism.
Field Endomorphism
Let $\struct {F, +, \circ}$ be a field.
Let $\phi: F \to F$ be a (field) homomorphism from $F$ to itself.
Then $\phi$ is a field endomorphism.
$R$-Algebraic Structure Endomorphism
Let $\struct {S, \ast_1, \ast_2, \ldots, \ast_n, \circ}_R$ be an $R$-algebraic structure.
Let $\phi: S \to S$ be an $R$-algebraic structure homomorphism from $S$ to itself.
Then $\phi$ is an $R$-algebraic structure endomorphism.
This definition continues to apply when $S$ is a module, and also when it is a vector space.
Module Endomorphism
Let $R$ be a ring.
Let $M$ be an $R$-module.
A module endomorphism of $M$ is a module homomorphism from $M$ to itself.
Also see
- Definition:Homomorphism (Abstract Algebra)
- Definition:Monomorphism (Abstract Algebra)
- Definition:Epimorphism (Abstract Algebra)
- Definition:Isomorphism (Abstract Algebra)
Linguistic Note
The word endomorphism derives from the Greek morphe (μορφή) meaning form or structure, with the prefix endo- (from ἔνδον') meaning inner or internal.
Thus endomorphism means internal structure.
Sources
- 1965: Seth Warner: Modern Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {II}$: New Structures from Old: $\S 12$: Homomorphisms
- 1972: A.G. Howson: A Handbook of Terms used in Algebra and Analysis ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 7$: Homomorphisms and quotient algebras