Definition:Monomorphism (Abstract Algebra)
Definition
A homomorphism which is an injection is descibed as monic, or called a monomorphism.
Semigroup Monomorphism
Let $\struct {S, \circ}$ and $\struct {T, *}$ be semigroups.
Let $\phi: S \to T$ be a (semigroup) homomorphism.
Then $\phi$ is a semigroup monomorphism if and only if $\phi$ is an injection.
Group Monomorphism
Let $\struct {G, \circ}$ and $\struct {H, *}$ be groups.
Let $\phi: G \to H$ be a (group) homomorphism.
Then $\phi$ is a group monomorphism if and only if $\phi$ is an injection.
Ring Monomorphism
Let $\struct {R, +, \circ}$ and $\struct {S, \oplus, *}$ be rings.
Let $\phi: R \to S$ be a (ring) homomorphism.
Then $\phi$ is a ring monomorphism if and only if $\phi$ is an injection.
Field Monomorphism
Let $\struct {F, +, \circ}$ and $\struct {K, \oplus, *}$ be fields.
Let $\phi: F \to K$ be a (field) homomorphism.
Then $\phi$ is a field monomorphism if and only if $\phi$ is an injection.
$R$-Algebraic Structure Monomorphism
Let $\struct {S, \ast_1, \ast_2, \ldots, \ast_n, \circ}_R$ and $\struct {T, \odot_1, \odot_2, \ldots, \odot_n, \otimes}_R$ be $R$-algebraic structures.
Then $\phi: S \to T$ is an $R$-algebraic structure monomorphism if and only if:
- $(1): \quad \phi$ is an injection
- $(2): \quad \forall k: k \in \closedint 1 n: \forall x, y \in S: \map \phi {x \ast_k y} = \map \phi x \odot_k \map \phi y$
- $(3): \quad \forall x \in S: \forall \lambda \in R: \map \phi {\lambda \circ x} = \lambda \otimes \map \phi x$.
That is, if and only if:
- $(1): \quad \phi$ is an injection
- $(2): \quad \phi$ is an $R$-algebraic structure homomorphism.
This definition continues to apply when $S$ and $T$ are modules, and also when they are vector spaces.
Vector Space Monomorphism
Let $V$ and $W$ be $K$-vector spaces.
Then $\phi: V \to W$ is a vector space monomorphism if and only if:
- $(1): \quad \phi$ is an injection
- $(2): \quad \forall \mathbf x, \mathbf y \in V: \phi \left({\mathbf x + \mathbf y}\right) = \phi \left({\mathbf x}\right) + \phi \left({\mathbf y}\right)$
- $(3): \quad \forall \mathbf x \in V: \forall \lambda \in K: \phi \left({\lambda \mathbf x}\right) = \lambda \phi \left({\mathbf x}\right)$
Ordered Structure Monomorphism
Let $\left({S, \circ, \preceq}\right)$ and $\left({T, *, \preccurlyeq}\right)$ be ordered structures.
An ordered structure monomorphism from $\left({S, \circ, \preceq}\right)$ to $\left({T, *, \preccurlyeq}\right)$ is a mapping $\phi: S \to T$ that is both:
- $(1): \quad$ A monomorphism, i.e. an injective homomorphism, from the structure $\left({S, \circ}\right)$ to the structure $\left({T, *}\right)$
- $(2): \quad$ An order embedding from the ordered set $\left({S, \preceq}\right)$ to the ordered set $\left({T, \preccurlyeq}\right)$.
Also see
- Definition:Order Embedding, also known as an order monomorphism
Linguistic Note
The word monomorphism comes from the Greek morphe (μορφή) meaning form or structure, with the prefix mono- meaning single.
Thus monomorphism means single (similar) 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