2. Show that the relation ”is R-module isomorphic to” is an equivalence relation on any set
of R-modules.
Proof. (Reflexive) For every R-module M consider the identity R-module map idM : M →
M . Then idM is an isomorphism and M is isomorphic to itself.
(Symmetric) Suppose R-modules M and N are isomorphic via an R-module isomorphism
ϕ : M → N . Then ϕ−1 : N → M is also an isomorphism and thus N is isomorphic to M .
(Transitive) Suppose M is isomorphic to N , and N is isomorphic to L via R-module isomor-
phisms ϕ : M → N and ψ : N → L, respectively. Then their composite map ψ ◦ ϕ is an
isomorphism between M and L. Thus M is isomorphic to L.
4. Let A be any Z-module, let a be any element of A and let n be a positive integer. Prove
that the map ϕa : Z/nZ → A given by ϕa (k) = ka is a well defined Z-module homomorphism
if and only if na = 0. Prove that HomZ (Z/nZ, A) ∼
= An , where An = {a ∈ A|na = 0} (so An
is the annihilator in A of the ideal (n) of Z).
Proof. (⇒) Suppose first that ϕa is a well-defined Z-module homomorphism. Then
na = ϕa (n) = ϕa (0) = 0a = 0
as desired.
(⇐) Conversely suppose that na = 0. Then let l ∈ k be an element in the equivalence class
k. Then for some m ∈ Z k = l + nm and
ϕa (k + l) = ϕa (k + l) = (k + l)a
= ka + la
= ϕa (k) + ϕa (l)
7. Let z be a fixed element of the center of R. Prove that the map m 7→ zm is an R-module
homomorphism from M to itself. Show that for a commutative ring R the map from R to
EndR (M ) given by r 7→ rI is a ring homomorphism (where I is the identity endomorphism).
Proof. We first claim that ϕ : M → M defined by ϕ(m) = zm, where z is some fixed element
of the center Z(R) of R, is an R-module homomorphism. Then for all m, n ∈ M and all
r∈R
Φ(r) = rI,
and
Φ(rs) = (rs)I = (sr)I = (rI)(sI) = Ψ(r)Ψ(s)
since R is commutative, I 2 = I, and
for every m ∈ M .
9. Let R be a commutative ring. Prove that HomR (R, M ) and M are isomorphic as left R-
modules. [Show that each element of HomR (R, M ) is determined by its value on the identity
of R.
Proof. Observe first that HomR (R, M ) is an R-module, and define an R-module map Ψ :→
HomR (R, M ) → M by
Ψ(f ) = f (1),
where 1 ∈ R is the multiplicative identity. Also denote o ∈ HomR (R, M ) is the zero function,
i.e. o(r) = 0 for all r ∈ R. If f ∈ HomR (R, M ) is not the zero function, then Ψ(f ) = f (1) 6= 0
since f (1) = 0 implies that
Now we claim that Ψ is a bijective R-module homomorphism. Then for all f, g ∈ HomR (R, M )
and all r ∈ R Ψ is well-defined and
Ψ(f + r.g) = (f + r.g)(1) = f (1) + r.g(1)
= f (1) + (rg)(1)
= f (1) + r.(g(1))
= Ψ(f ) + r.Ψ(g).
So Ψ is an R-module homomorphism. Next suppose that Ψ(f ) = Ψ(g) for all f, g ∈
HomR (R, M ). Then
Ψ(f ) = Ψ(g) ⇒ f (1) = g(1)
⇒ f (1) − g(1) = 0
⇒ (f − g)(1) = 0.
According to the argument above f − g is the zero function, i.e. f − g = o. Thus f = g and
Ψ is injective. Moreover for every m ∈ M construct some f ∈ HomR (R, M ) such that
m = f (1).
This map f is well-defined since for all r ∈ R and m1 , m2 ∈ M if
(r, m1 ) ∈ f and (r, m2 ) ∈ f
then
m1 = f (r) = f (r1) = rf (1) = rm
and
m2 = f (r) = f (r1) = rf (1) = rm,
so m1 = m2 . Therefore Ψ is surjective and hence a bijective R-module homomorphism.
Thus HomR (R, M ) is isomorphic to M as left R-modules.
10. Let R be a commutative ring. Prove that HomR (R, R) and R are isomorphic as rings.
Proof. Since a commutative ring R is a left module over itself, HomR (R, R) is isomorphic to
R as left R-modules by result from problem #9. So all we have to claim is that an R-module
isomorphism Ψ : HomR (R, R) → R respects multiplication. Then for all f, g ∈ HomR (R, R),
where g(1) = r,
Ψ(f ◦ g) = (f ◦ g)(1) = f (r)
= rf (1)
= rΨ(f )
= Ψ(f )r
= Ψ(f )Ψ(g)
since R is commutative. Therefore Ψ is a ring isomorphism and hence HomR (R, R) is iso-
morphic to R.