Algebras and Rings
The definition of an associative K-algebra with unit is also frequently given in an alternative way. In this case, an algebra over a field K is a ring A together with a ring homomorphism
where Z(A) is the center of A. Since η is a ring morphism, then one must have either that A is the trivial ring, or that η is injective. This definition is equivalent to that above, with scalar multiplication
given by
Given two such associative unital K-algebras A and B, a unital K-algebra morphism f: A → B is a ring morphism that commutes with the scalar multiplication defined by η, which one may write as
for all and . In other words, the following diagram commutes:
Read more about this topic: Algebra Over A Field
Famous quotes containing the word rings:
“You held my hand
and were instant to explain
the three rings of danger.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)