Definition:Isomorphism (Abstract Algebra)/Ring Isomorphism

Definition

Let $\struct {R, +, \circ}$ and $\struct {S, \oplus, *}$ be rings.

Let $\phi: R \to S$ be a (ring) homomorphism.

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

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

Also see

• Definition:Isomorphism (Abstract Algebra)

• Results about ring 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.

Sources

• 1964: Iain T. Adamson: Introduction to Field Theory ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {I}$: Elementary Definitions: $\S 3$. Homomorphisms
• 1969: C.R.J. Clapham: Introduction to Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $5$: Rings: $\S 24$. Homomorphisms
• 1970: B. Hartley and T.O. Hawkes: Rings, Modules and Linear Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 2.2$: Homomorphisms: Definition $2.4$
• 1978: Thomas A. Whitelaw: An Introduction to Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 57$. Ring homomorphisms: Remarks: $\text{(a) (3), (b)}$
• 1982: P.M. Cohn: Algebra Volume 1 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 2.3$: Congruences
• 2008: Paul Halmos and Steven Givant: Introduction to Boolean Algebras ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 3$
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): isomorphism (of rings)