Yangon University of Education Research Journal 2020, Vol. 10, No.

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Sequences of Module Homomorphisms

Lwin Mar Htun1, Thidar Seinn2 and Sandar3

Abstract
In this paper, the concepts of sequences of module homomorphisms are discussed. Firstly,
sequences of module homomorphismssuch as zero-sequence, exact sequence, short exact
sequence, u-exact and v-coexact sequence are defined. And then some examples and
properties of these sequences are established.

1. Introduction
In this section, some basic definitions and theorems are presented.
1.1 Definition. Let f: AB be a function and S  A. The function from S to B given
by a  f(a), for all aS is called the restriction of f to S and is denoted f|S : S  B . The
function I A|S : S  A is called the inclusion map of S to A.

1.2 Definition. Let f: A  B be a function. If S  A, the image of S under f (denoted

f(S)) is the set {bB| b = f(a) for some aS}. The set f(A) is called the image of f and is
denoted by Im f.
1.3 Definition. Let R be any ring. A module M over R is an additive abelian group M
together with a binary operation, .:RMM
(r, m)  r.m which satisfies the following conditions:
(i) r . (m1  m 2 )  r . m1  r .m 2

(ii) (r  s). m1  r . m1  s.m1

(iii) r .(s. m1 )  (rs).m1 for all m1 , m 2 M and r, sR.

From now on we write ab for a.b.
1.4 Definition. A nonempty subset N of module M over a ring R is a submodule of
M over a ring R if N is an additive subgroup of M and rnN for all rR, nN.
1.5 Theorem. Let N be a submodule of a module M over a ring R. Then the quotient
group M N is a module over a ring R with the operation r(m + N) = rm + N for all rR,
mM.
1.6 Definition. Let A and B be the modules over a ring R.A function f:AB is a
module homomorphism if (i) f(a + c) = f(a) + f(c)
(ii) f(ra) = rf(a), for all a, cA and rR.
1.7 Definition. Let f: G  H be a module homomorphism. The kernel of f (denoted by
Ker f) is {aG| f(a) = e, e is the additive identity element of H}.
1.8 Definition. A function f is a module monomorphism if f is a module
homomorphism and injective (one-one). A function f is a module epimorphism if f is a
module homomorphism and surjective (onto). A function f is a module isomorphism if f is
a module homomorphism, injective and surjective (bijective).

1. Professor /Head, Dr., Department of Mathematics, Yangon University of Education

2. Associate Professor, Dr., Department of Mathematics, Yangon University of Education
3. Lecturer, Dr., Department of Mathematics, Yangon University of Education
206 Yangon University of Education Research Journal 2020, Vol. 10, No.1

1.9 Theorem. The map :M M N defined by (m) = m + N for all mM is a
module homomorphism with kernel N (Ker N). This mapping  is called the canonical
epimorphism (or projection).
2. Exact sequence and short exact sequence
In this section, M, N and L are modules over ring R.Firstly, zero sequence and exact
sequence of module homomorphisms are introduced. And then short exact sequence is
defined and some examples are presented.
2.1 Definition. Let f: M  N and g : N  L be module homomorphisms.
f g
The sequence M   N   L of module homomorphisms is a zero-sequence if
g.f  0 (or) Im f  Ker g.
f g
The sequence M   N   L of homomorphisms is an exact sequence at N if Im
f = Ker g.
For a sequence of more homomorphisms the conditions should be satisfied for every
f g h
composition. Example, M   N   L   K is a zero sequence if g.f  0 and
h .g  0. This sequence is exact if Ker g = Im f and Ker h = Im g.
2.2 Definition. Let Ai be modules and fi : Ai  Ai 1 module homomorphism. The
finite sequence {f i } is exact if Im f i  Ker f i 1 (i = 1, 2, …, n).

2.3 Definition. Let A i (i Z) be modules and fi : Ai  Ai 1 module homomorphisms.

The infinite sequence {f i } is exact if Im f i  Ker f i 1 for all i Z.
f g
2.4 Corollary (i)The sequence {0}   M   N ofmodule homomorphisms is
exact if and only if g is a module monomorphism .
f g
(ii) The sequence M   N  {0} is an exact sequence if and only if f is a module
epimorphism.
f g h
(iii) The sequence {0}   M   N  {0} is an exact sequence if and only if g is a
moduleisomorphism.
f g
Solution: (i) Suppose {0}   M   N is an exactsequence.
So, Im f = Ker g. To show g isinjective, suppose g(x) = g(y).
Since g a homomorphism , g (x – y) = 0.
So x – y  Ker g =Im f.
Im f = {0}, since domain of f is {0} and fis a homomorphism.
Thus x – y = 0 (i.e., x = y) and so g isa module monomorphism.
Suppose g is a module monomorphism and yIm f.
Then x{0} such that f(x) = y.
Since x{0} and fisa module monomorphism, y = 0.
Moreover g is a module monomorphism, g(y) = g(0) = 0.
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Then y Ker g and Im f  Ker g.

Let x Ker g. Then g(x) = 0.
Since g is injective and homomorphism, x = 0.
f(x) = f(0) = 0  {0} since fisa module monomorphism, xIm f
Thus Ker g Im f. Im f = Ker g.
f g
Therefore {0}   M   N is an exact sequence.
f g
(ii) Suppose the sequence M   N  {0} is exact. Then we get Im f = Ker g.
Range of f = Im f = {f(x) | xM}
Since range of g is {0}, g (x)  0 for all xN.
Then we get N = Ker g = Im f.
Thus f is a module epimorphism.
Suppose f is surjective. We haveIm f = N.
Since Range of g = {0}, Ker g = N.
f g
So Im f = Ker g. Thus M   N  {0} is an exact sequence.
f g h
(iii) Suppose {0}   M   N  {0} is exact.
f g
Since {0}   M   N is exact, g is a module monomorphism.
g h
Since M   N  {0} is exact, g is a module epimorphism.
So g is a module homomorphism. (i.e., g is an isomorphism.)
f g h
Suppose {0}   M   N  {0} is a sequence of module homomorphism
and g is a module isomorphism.
Sog is surjective, injectiveand homomorphism.
f g
Since g is injective {0}   M   N is exact and since g is surjective
g h
M   N  {0} is exact.
f g h
So {0}   M   N  {0} is an exact sequence.
f f g g
2.7 Corollary. Let {0}   A   B and B   C   {0} be exact sequences. If
f g
A   B   C is exact, then it is a zero sequence (i.e., g.f = 0).
f g
Proof: Suppose A   B   C is exact. Take any element xA.
f g
Then f(x) Im f = Ker g, f(x)  Ker g since A   B   C is exact
Thus (g.f)(x) = g(f(x))= g(0) = 0.Therefore g.f = 0.
f f g g
2.8 Definition. Let{0}   M   N and N   L  {0} be exact sequences.
f f g g
Then {0}   M   N   L  {0} is exact sequence and it is called a short
exact sequence.(i.e., f is injective, g is surjective and Ker g = Im f ).
208 Yangon University of Education Research Journal 2020, Vol. 10, No.1

2.9 Example. Let N be asubmodule of module M.

f i  g
Then {0}   N   M   M N  {0} is a short exact sequence where
i = inclusion map and  = canonical map.
Solution: It is sufficient to show that Ker  = Imi.
Ker  = {xM| (x) = 0}
= {xM| x + N = N} = N
Since i is an inclusion map, Imi = N. So Ker  = Imi.
f i  g
Therefore {0}   N   M   M N   {0} is a short exact sequence.
2.10 Example Let Z be the set of integer. Let f: Z Z defined f(x) = nx and g:Z
Z (n) defined g(x) = [x] (equivalence class of x under mod n). Then the sequence
f f g g
{0}   Z   Z   Z (n)   {0} is a short exact.
Solution: We know that Z is a module over a ring Z with the usual addition and usual
multiplication and Z(n) is a module over a ring Z with the usual addition and usual
multiplication of modulo n.
By definition of f and g, f is mono homomorphism and g is empimorphism.
Ker g = {x  Z| g(x) = [x] = [0]}
= {xZ| x0 mod n}
= {xZ| n|x}
= {x = nm| mZ} = Im f
Therefore Ker g = Im f. The given sequence is a short exact sequence.

3. u-exact sequence
In this section, M i are modules and U i are submodules of M i (i = 1,, 2, 3, … ).u-
exact sequence, v-coexact sequence and commutative diagram are defined. Using
commutative diagram, properties of sequence of module homomorphisms are proved.
3.1 Definition A sequence of module homomorphism
f1 f2 f3 f4 fi f i1
M1   M 2   M 3   M 4    
 M i 1   M i    is said
 M i 1 
to be u-exact sequence of M i if Im f i  f 1 ( U i 1 ) .
f g
From now on we write {0} 
 M   N   {0} for
 L 
f f g g
{0}   M   N   L   {0} .
f g
3.2 Example. The short exact sequence {0} 
 M1   M 2   {0} is a
 M 3 
u-exact sequenceat M 2 .
f g
3.3 Corollary. Let {0}   A   B   C be a u-exact sequence. If the sequence
is exact, then U is a trivial submodule of B. (i.e., U = {0}).
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Proof: Suppose given u-exact sequence is exact.

f g
Then A   B   C is exact and g.f = 0.
We know that {0}  U. Take any element y  U.
Since f is surjective, there exists an element xA such that f(x) = y.
Moreover g.f = 0, g(f(x)) = 0.x = 0 = g(0).
Thus y = f(x) = 0 since g is injective.
Therefore y{0} and {0}  U. U = {0}.
U is the trivial submodule of B.
3.4 Definition. Let V be a submoduleof M1 . A sequence
f2 g
{0}   M1   M 2  {0} is v-coexact sequence if f is injective, g is
 M 3 
surjective and f (V)  Ker g .
f g
3.5 Definition. Let {0} 
 A   B   {0} and
 C 
f g
 A 
{0}   B   C 
 {0} be short exact sequence and  :A  A  ,
 :B  B and  :C  C be module homomorphisms. The diagram
f g
0 
 A   B  C 
{0}
  
f g
0 
 A   B   C 
{0} is a commutative diagram if  g  g  , f    f .

3.6 Lemma. Let R be a ring and

f g
0 
 A   B  C 
{0}
    
f g
0 
 A   B   C 
{0} is a commutative diagram.

Then (i) ,  monomorphisms  is a monomorphism.

(ii) , epimorphisms  is a epimorphism.
(iii) , isomorphisms  is a isomorphism.
Proof: Let given diagram be a commutative diagram.
(i) Suppose and  monomorphisms.
Let bKer . Then (b) = 0.
Since the given diagram is commutative, we have (  g) (b)  g(  (b))  g(0)  0 .
This implies g(b) = 0, since  is a monomorphism. So b Ker g.
Since Ker g = Im f,  a A such that b = f(a).
By commutativity, (f   ) (a)  ( f (a))   (b)  0.

0 
 A 
 B is an exact sequence, we have f  is injective (corollary 2.4).
210 Yangon University of Education Research Journal 2020, Vol. 10, No.1

So (a) = 0. But  is a monomorphism, a = 0 and hence b = f(c) = f(0) = 0.

Therefore  is a monomorphism .
(ii) Suppose ,  are epimorphisms and let b B .
Since  is an epimorphism, g(b)  C and g(b)   (c) for some cC.
f g
0 
 A   B  C 
{0} is exact, g is a module epimorphism .

Hence c = g(b) for some bB. By commutativity,

(g)(b)  ( g)(b)   (g(b))   (c)  g (b) .
Thus we get g ((b)  b) = 0 and (b)  b Ker g .
f g
Since 0 
 A   B   C 
{0} is exact, Ker g   Im f  and
f (a )  (b)  b where a  A . a    (a) for some aA, since  is an epimorphism.
Moreover  is a homomorphism, (b  f (a))  (b)   f (a) .
By commutativity, ( f )(a)  (f  )(a)  f ( (a))  f (a )  (b)  b .
Hence (b  f (a))  (b)   f (a)  (b)  ((b)  b)  b and  is an epimorphism.
(iii) Suppose  and  are isomorphism.
Then we get  and  are injective and surjective mappings.
By (ii) and (iii),  is an isomorphism.

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks to Pro. Rectors Dr. Pyone Pyone Aung and Dr. Kay Thwe
Hlaing, Yangon University of Education for their management and encouragement on this research paper.

References

B. Davvaz and Y. A. Parnian-Garmaleky (1999) “A Note on Exact Sequence”, Bull. Malaysian Math Soc.
(Second Series) 22 (1999)53-56.
Herstein, I .N. “Abstract Algebra”.
Thomas W.Hungerford (1980) “Algebra”, Graduate Texts in Mathematics.