Homomorphisms and Factor Rings

Let R and R' be rings and let N and N' be ideals of R and R' respectively.

Let $\phi$ be a homomorphism of R into R'.

Show that $\phi$ induces a natural homomorphism $\phi_* : R/N \rightarrow R'/N'$ if $\ \ \phi [N] \subseteq N'$

Re: Homomorphisms and Factor Rings

well, what do we have to work with?

we are given the homomorphism φ:R-->R', the ideal N of R and the ideal N' of R', and that φ(N) is a subset of N'.

so the natural thing to do is define: φ_{_*}(r+N) = φ(r)+N'.

whenEVER you define things on cosets, it is imperative that you verify that the definition depends ONLY on the coset r+N, and not on "r".

so we must check that if r'+N = r+N, that φ_{_*}(r+N) = φ_{_*}(r'+N).

if r+N = r'+N, this means r-r' is in N. since φ maps N inside N', φ(r-r') is in N'. since φ is a homomorphism, φ(r-r') = φ(r)-φ(r').

so we have φ(r)-φ(r') is in N', hence φ(r)+N' = φ(r')+N', that is: φ_{_*}(r+N) = φ_{_*}(r'+N), as desired.

now all that is left to do is verify that φ_{_*} is a ring homomorphism. you can do this.

Re: Homomorphisms and Factor Rings

Thanks Deveno ... appreciate your help.

WIll now work through the post

Peter