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Exercise 973Algebra › GroupsL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Group homomorphisms

#homomorphism#kernel#image

Statement

Let f:G→G′f:G\to G' be a group homomorphism. Show that:
1. f(e)=e′f(e)=e';
2. f(g−1)=f(g)−1f(g^{-1})=f(g)^{-1};
3. ker⁡f\ker f is a subgroup of GG;
4. Im⁡f\operatorname{Im} f is a subgroup of G′G'.

Hint

Use the homomorphism property f(ab)=f(a)f(b)f(ab)=f(a)f(b).

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Solution

1. f(e)=f(ee)=f(e)f(e)f(e)=f(ee)=f(e)f(e), so multiplying by f(e)−1f(e)^{-1}: e′=f(e)e'=f(e).

2. f(g)f(g−1)=f(gg−1)=f(e)=e′f(g)f(g^{-1})=f(gg^{-1})=f(e)=e', so f(g−1)=f(g)−1f(g^{-1})=f(g)^{-1}.

3. ker⁡f={g:f(g)=e′}\ker f=\{g:f(g)=e'\}. Contains ee (by 1). If a,b∈ker⁡fa,b\in\ker f: f(ab−1)=f(a)f(b)−1=e′(e′)−1=e′f(ab^{-1})=f(a)f(b)^{-1}=e'(e')^{-1}=e', so ab−1∈ker⁡fab^{-1}\in\ker f. Subgroup.

4. Im⁡f={f(g):g∈G}\operatorname{Im} f=\{f(g):g\in G\}. Nonempty (contains e′e'). If f(a),f(b)∈Im⁡f(a),f(b)\in\operatorname{Im}, then f(a)f(b)−1=f(ab−1)∈Im⁡f(a)f(b)^{-1}=f(ab^{-1})\in\operatorname{Im}. Subgroup.

Conclusion. All four properties hold.