Definition:R-Algebraic Structure Automorphism

Definition

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 isomorphism from $S$ to itself.

Then $\phi$ is an $R$-algebraic structure automorphism.

This definition continues to apply when $S$ is a module, and also when it is a vector space.

Module Automorphism

Let $\struct {G, +_G, \circ}_R$ be an $R$-module.

Let $\phi: G \to G$ be a module isomorphism to itself.

Then $\phi$ is a module automorphism.

Vector Space Automorphism

Let $V$ be a $K$-vector space.

Let $\phi: V \to V$ be a vector space isomorphism to itself.

Then $\phi$ is a vector space automorphism.

Also see

• Definition:Automorphism (Abstract Algebra)

Linguistic Note

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

Thus automorphism means self structure.

Sources

• 1965: Seth Warner: Modern Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {V}$: Vector Spaces: $\S 26$. Vector Spaces and Modules