scalar map


Given a ring R, a left R-module U, a right R-module V and a two-sided R-module W then a map b:U×V→W is an R-scalar map if

  1. 1.

    b is biadditive, that is b⁢(u+u′,v)=b⁢(u,v)+b⁢(u′,v) and b⁢(u,v+v′)=b⁢(u,v)+b⁢(u,v′) for all u,u′∈U and v,v′∈V;

  2. 2.

    b⁢(r⁢u,v)=r⁢b⁢(u,v) and b⁢(u,v⁢r)=b⁢(u,v)⁢r for all u∈U, v∈V and r∈R.

Such maps can also be called outer linear.

Unlike bilinear maps, scalar maps do not force a commutativePlanetmathPlanetmathPlanetmath multiplication on R even when the map is non-degenerate and the modules are faithfulPlanetmathPlanetmath. For example, if A is an associative ring then the multiplication of A, b:A×A→A is a A-outer linear:

b⁢(x⁢y,z)=(x⁢y)⁢z=x⁢(y⁢z)=x⁢b⁢(y,z)

and likewise b⁢(x,y⁢z)=b⁢(x,y)⁢z. Using a non-commutative ring A confirms the claim.

It is immediate however that ⟨b⁢(U,V)⟩ is in fact an R-bimodule. This is because:

s⁢(b⁢(u,v)⁢r)=s⁢b⁢(u,v⁢r)=b⁢(s⁢u,v⁢r)=s⁢b⁢(u,v⁢r)=(s⁢b⁢(u,v))⁢r

for all u∈U, v∈V and s,r∈R. Therefore it is not uncommon to require that indeed all of W be an R-bimodule.

Title scalar map
Canonical name ScalarMap
Date of creation 2013-03-22 17:24:22
Last modified on 2013-03-22 17:24:22
Owner Algeboy (12884)
Last modified by Algeboy (12884)
Numerical id 7
Author Algeboy (12884)
Entry type Definition
Classification msc 13C99
Synonym outer linear
Related topic BilinearMap
Defines scalar map