Definition:Kernel (Abstract Algebra)
This page is about Kernel in the context of Abstract Algebra. For other uses, see Kernel.
Definition
Kernel of Magma Homomorphism
Let $\struct {S, \circ}$ be a magma.
Let $\struct {T, *}$ be an algebraic structure with an identity element $e$.
Let $\phi: \struct {S, \circ} \to \struct {T, *}$ be a homomorphism.
The kernel of $\phi$ is the subset of the domain of $\phi$ defined as:
- $\map \ker \phi = \set {x \in S: \map \phi x = e}$
That is, $\map \ker \phi$ is the subset of $S$ that maps to the identity of $T$.
Kernel of Group Homomorphism
Let $\struct {G, \circ}$ and $\struct {H, *}$ be groups.
Let $\phi: \struct {G, \circ} \to \struct {H, *}$ be a group homomorphism.
The kernel of $\phi$ is the subset of the domain of $\phi$ defined as:
- $\map \ker \phi := \phi^{-1} \sqbrk {e_H} = \set {x \in G: \map \phi x = e_H}$
where $e_H$ is the identity of $H$.
That is, $\map \ker \phi$ is the subset of $G$ that maps to the identity of $H$.
Kernel of Ring Homomorphism
Let $\struct {R_1, +_1, \circ_1}$ and $\struct {R_2, +_2, \circ_2}$ be rings.
Let $\phi: \struct {R_1, +_1, \circ_1} \to \struct {R_2, +_2, \circ_2}$ be a ring homomorphism.
The kernel of $\phi$ is the subset of the domain of $\phi$ defined as:
- $\map \ker \phi = \set {x \in R_1: \map \phi x = 0_{R_2} }$
where $0_{R_2}$ is the zero of $R_2$.
That is, $\map \ker \phi$ is the subset of $R_1$ that maps to the zero of $R_2$.
From Ring Homomorphism Preserves Zero it follows that $0_{R_1} \in \map \ker \phi$ where $0_{R_1}$ is the zero of $R_1$.
Kernel of Linear Transformation
Let $\phi: G \to H$ be a linear transformation where $G$ and $H$ are $R$-modules.
Let $e_H$ be the identity of $H$.
The kernel of $\phi$ is defined as:
- $\map \ker \phi := \phi^{-1} \sqbrk {\set {e_H} }$
where $\phi^{-1} \sqbrk S$ denotes the preimage of $S$ under $\phi$.
In Vector Space
Let $\struct {\mathbf V, +, \times}$ be a vector space.
Let $\struct {\mathbf V', +, \times}$ be a vector space whose zero vector is $\mathbf 0'$.
Let $T: \mathbf V \to \mathbf V'$ be a linear transformation.
Then the kernel of $T$ is defined as:
- $\map \ker T := T^{-1} \sqbrk {\set {\mathbf 0'} } = \set {\mathbf x \in \mathbf V: \map T {\mathbf x} = \mathbf 0'}$
Also denoted as
The notation $\map {\mathrm {Ker} } \phi$ can sometimes be seen for the kernel of $\phi$.
It can also be presented as $\ker \phi$ or $\operatorname {Ker} \phi$, that is, without the parenthesis indicating a mapping.
Also see
- Results about kernels in the context of abstract algebra can be found here.