# Definition:Isomorphism (Abstract Algebra)/Group Isomorphism

## Definition

Let $\struct {G, \circ}$ and $\struct {H, *}$ be groups.

Let $\phi: G \to H$ be a (group) homomorphism.

Then $\phi$ is a group isomorphism if and only if $\phi$ is a bijection.

That is, $\phi$ is a group isomorphism if and only if $\phi$ is both a monomorphism and an epimorphism.

If $G$ is isomorphic to $H$, then the notation $G \cong H$ can be used (although notation varies).

## Also known as

Isomorphism as defined here is known by some authors as simple isomorphism.

## Examples

### Order $2$ Matrices with $1$ Real Variable

Let $S$ be the set defined as:

$S := \set {\begin{bmatrix} 1 & t \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}: t \in \R}$

Consider the algebraic structure $\struct {S, \times}$, where $\times$ is used to denote (conventional) matrix multiplication.

Then $\struct {S, \times}$ is isomorphic to the additive group of real numbers $\struct {\R, +}$.

### $\Z / 3 \Z$ With $A_4 / K_4$

Let $\Z / 3 \Z$ denote the quotient group of the additive group of integers with the additive group of $3 \times$ the integers.

Let $A_4 / K_4$ denote the quotient group of the alternating group on 4 letters with the Klein $4$-group.

Then $\Z / 3 \Z$ is isomorphic to $A_4 / K_4$.

## Also see

• Results about group isomorphisms can be found here.

## Linguistic Note

The word isomorphism derives from the Greek morphe (μορφή) meaning form or structure, with the prefix iso- meaning equal.

Thus isomorphism means equal structure.