# Math Help - Z-module homomorphism

1. ## Z-module homomorphism

Let $M=\{(a_i): a_i \in \mathbb{Z}, i\geq 1\}$ (M a $\mathbb{Z}$-module); let N be the Z-submodule of M generated by $\{e_n: n\geq 1\}$ (where $e_n = (0,0,\ldots,0, 1 \text{(nth place)}, 0, \ldots)$). Let $g:M\to\mathbb{Z}$ be a Z-module homomorphism such that g(N)={0}.
Use elements in M of the form $(2^n a_n)$ and $(3^n b_n)$ ( $a_n$, $b_n$ in Z) to show that g=0. Hint: If $x=(2^n a_n)$, use that, given $k\geq 1$, there exist y in N, z in M such that $x-y=2^k z$ to deduce that g(x)=0.
What confuses me is if g(N)=0, since an element x of M can be written as $x=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n e_n$ why then does it not follow that, since $g(e_n)=0$ for each n, $g(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n e_n) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n g(e_n) =0$ for any x in M? After that the purpose of the various k's is also a mystery to me.

2. Originally Posted by james123
What confuses me is if g(N)=0, since an element x of M can be written as $x=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n e_n$

No, it can't: there don't exist infinite sums here. N is the free $\mathbb{Z}-$module (i.e., the free abelian group) on $e_i$ , and every element there is a finite $\mathbb{Z}-$linear combination of the $e_i$'s.

Tonio

why then does it not follow that, since $g(e_n)=0$ for each n, $g(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n e_n) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n g(e_n) =0$ for any x in M? After that the purpose of the various k's is also a mystery to me.

.

3. Oh, finitely generated - of course! (slaps head). Now, if $x=(2^n a_n)$, given k>=1 I have $y = \sum_{i=1}^{k-1}2^i e_i \in N$, $z = (0 , \ldots , 0, a_{k}, a_{k+1}, \ldots) \in M$ so that

$x - y = (2^n a_n) - \sum_{i=1}^{k-1}2^i e_i = (0 , \ldots , 0, 2^{k}a_{k}, 2^{k+1}a_{k+1}, \ldots) = 2^k(0 , \ldots , 0, a_{k}, a_{k+1}, \ldots)$
$= 2^k z$

as per the hint.

As g(N)=0, taking g of both sides gives
$g((2^n a_n)) = 2^k g(0, \ldots, 0, a_k, a_{k+1},\ldots)$
for any k>=1.

In particular, $2^k g(0, \ldots, 0, a_k, a_{k+1},\ldots) = 2^{k+1} g(0, \ldots, 0, a_{k+1}, a_{k+2},\ldots)$

so, upon subtracting:
$0 = -2 g(0, \ldots, 0, a_k, 0, \ldots) = -2a_k g(e_k)$.

This would seem to imply x=(0,0,..) or g=0; in either case g(x)=0.

But this can't be right - I could have deduced as much by not bothering with the powers of 2. What am I missing?

Thanks again

4. Originally Posted by james123
Oh, finitely generated - of course! (slaps head).

No, not finitely generated! Infinitely generated, but every element in N is a finite linear combination of this infinite basis. (so slap it again ).

From what book/site is this question? I kindda remember a very similar question, but cannot place it.

Now, if $x=(2^n a_n)$, given k>=1 I have $y = \sum_{i=1}^{k-1}2^i e_i \in N$, $z = (0 , \ldots , 0, a_{k}, a_{k+1}, \ldots) \in M$ so that

$x - y = (2^n a_n) - \sum_{i=1}^{k-1}2^i e_i = (0 , \ldots , 0, 2^{k}a_{k}, 2^{k+1}a_{k+1}, \ldots) = 2^k(0 , \ldots , 0, a_{k}, a_{k+1}, \ldots)$
$= 2^k z$

as per the hint.

Hmmm...I think it'd rather be $y=\sum\limits_{i=1}^{k-1}2^ia_ie_i=(2a_1,2^2a_2,\dots,2^{k-1}a_{k-1},0,\dots)$ , so that:

$x-y = (2a_1,2^2a_2,\dots)-(2a_1,\dots,2^{k-1}a_{k-1},0,\dots)=(0,\dots,0,2^ka_k,2^{k+1}a_{k+1},\dots )=$ $2^k(0,\dots,0,a_k,2a_{k+1},2^2a_{k+1},\dots)$ , and thus:

$g(x)=g(x)-g(y)=g\left(2^k(0,\dots,0,a_k,2^ka_{k+1},\dots)\ri ght)=2^kg(0,\dots,0,a_k,2a_{k+1},\dots)$

It's easy to see that the above is true, mutandis mutandis, if instead powers of 2 we choose powers of 3. Now, as $gcd(2^k,3^n)=1\,\,\forall\,n\,,\,k\in\mathbb{N}$ ,

then $\forall m\in\mathbb{Z}\,\,\,\exists\, r,s\in\mathbb{Z}\,\,\,s.t.\,\,\,2^kr+3^ks=m$

Tonio

As g(N)=0, taking g of both sides gives
$g((2^n a_n)) = 2^k g(0, \ldots, 0, a_k, a_{k+1},\ldots)$
for any k>=1.

In particular, $2^k g(0, \ldots, 0, a_k, a_{k+1},\ldots) = 2^{k+1} g(0, \ldots, 0, a_{k+1}, a_{k+2},\ldots)$

so, upon subtracting:
$0 = -2 g(0, \ldots, 0, a_k, 0, \ldots) = -2a_k g(e_k)$.

This would seem to imply x=(0,0,..) or g=0; in either case g(x)=0.

But this can't be right - I could have deduced as much by not bothering with the powers of 2. What am I missing?

Thanks again
.