SJEM 2213/SJES 2216 ALGEBRA I

Chapter 7 Ring Homomorphism

7.1. Definition. Let R, S be two rings. A function : R S is called a ring homomorphism from
R to S if and only if
(a b) (a) (b), a, b R.
(ab) (a) (b), a, b R.
7.2. Theorem. Let R, S be two rings and : R S a ring homomorphism. Then
(i) : ( R,) (S ,) is a homomorphism from the from ( R,) to the group ( S ,) ;
(ii) (0 R ) 0 S ;
(iii) (a) (a), a R;
(iv) (na) n (a), a R, n ;
(v) (a n ) (a) n , a R, n , n 0.
Proof.
Theorem 4.3.
Note.
(i) (0 R ) , (a) and (na), n 0, are defined since 0 R , a and na, n 0, exist in R.
(ii) (1R ) , (a 1 ) and (a n ), n 0, can only be defined if 1R , a 1 and a n , n 0, exist in R.
7.3. Theorem. Let R, S be two rings with identity 1R , 1S respectively and : R S a surjective
ring homomorphism. Then
(i) (1R ) 1S ;
(ii) if a is a unit, then (a) is also a unit;
(iii) (a 1 ) (a) 1 (if a is a unit).
Proof.
(i) To show that (1R )s s s (1R ), s S.
Let s S.
Then r R such that (r ) s.
( is surjective)
So, (1R )s (1R ) (r ) (1R r ) (r ) s.
Also, s (1R ) (r ) (1R ) (r 1R ) (r ) s.
So, (1R ) 1S .
(ii) & (iii) Theorem 4.3.
Note.
If is not surjective, i.e., if ( R) S , then (1R ) is the identity in (R) only.

7.4. Theorem. Let R, S be two rings and : R S a ring homomorphism. Then

(i) if X is a subring in R, then (X ) is a subring in S;
(ii) if X is an ideal in R, then (X ) is an ideal in (R);
if surjective, then (X ) is an ideal in S;
(iii) if Y is a subring in S, then 1 (Y ) a subring in R;
(iv) if Y is an ideal in S, then 1 (Y ) is an ideal in R.
Proof.
Exercise. (cf Theorem 4.5)
Kernel of
7.5. Definition. Let R, S be two rings and : R S a ring homomorphism.
Then the kernel {a | (a) 0 S }.
Note.
(i) kernel 1 (0 S );
(ii) 0 R ker ;
(iii) ker R.
7.6. Theorem. Let R, S be two rings and : R S a ring homomorphism. Then the kernel is
an ideal in R.
Proof.
Note that (0 R ) 0 S .
So 0 R ker .
Hence the kernel is not an empty set.
Let a, b ker and r R.
Then (a) (b) 0 S and (r ) S.
To show that a b, ra, ar ker , i.e.,
to show that (a b) (ra) (ar ) 0 S .
Note that (a b) (a) (b)
0S 0S
0S.

So a b ker .
Note that (ra) (r ) (a)
( r )0 S
0S.

So ra ker .
Similarly ar ker .
Hence the kernel is an ideal in R.

7.7. Theorem. Let R, S be two rings and : R S a ring homomorphism. Then is injective if
and only if the kernel {0 R }.
Proof.
Suppose the kernel {0 R }.
Let (a) (b), a, b R.
(a) (b) 0 S .

( a b) 0 S .
a b ker {0 R }.
a b 0 R.
a b.
So, is injective.
Suppose is injective.
Clearly {0 R } ker .
To show that the kernel {0 R }.
Let a ker .
Then (a) 0 S .
From theorem 7.2, (0 R ) 0 S .
So (a) (0 R ).
a 0 R.
ker {0 R }.
Hence the kernel {0 R }.

THE FIRST ISOMORPHISM THEOREM

7.8. Theorem. (The First Isomorphism Theorem for Rings)
Let R, S be two rings and : R S a surjective ring homomorphism.
Let I ker . Then I is an ideal in R and R / I S.
Proof.
Note that I is an ideal in R since I ker .
Define : R / I S as follows: ( I a) (a), a R.
(i) To show that is well defined.
Let I a I b.
Then a b I .
( I ker . )
( a b) 0 S .

(a) (b) 0 S .
(a) (b).
( I a) ( I b).
Hence is well defined.
(ii) To show that is a homomorphism.
[( I a) ( I b)] [ I (a b)]
( a b)
(a) (b)
( I a ) ( I b)
[( I a)( I b)] [ I (ab)]
(ab)
(a) (b)

( is a ring homomorphism.)

( is a ring homomorphism.)

( I a) ( I b).
Hence is a ring homomorphism.
(iii) To show that is surjective.
Let s S.
Then r R such that (r ) s.
( is surjective.)
So I r R / I and by definition, ( I r ) (r ) s.
Hence is surjective.
(iv) To show that is injective.
Let ( I a) ( I b).
Then (a) (b).
( a b) 0 S .
a b ker I .
I a I b.
Hence is injective.
Therefore is a ring homomorphism from R/I to S, i.e., R / I S.

7.9. Theorem. Let R be a ring and I is an ideal in R.

Define : R R / I as follows: (a) I a, a R.
Then is a surjective ring homomorphism from R to R/I with kernel I .
Proof.
(i) To show that is a ring homomorphism.
(a b) I (a b) ( I a) ( I b) (a) (b).
(ab) I (ab) ( I a)( I b) (a) (b).
Hence is a ring homomorphism.
(ii) To show that is surjective.
Let I a R / I .
Then a R and by definition, (a) I a.
Hence is surjective.
7.10. Corollary. Let R be a ring. Then the number of surjective homomorphisms from R onto a
ring is the same number of ideals in R.
Proof. Theorem 7.8 & Theorem 7.9.