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Modules, Submodules, Quotient Modules and the Isomorphism Theorems

1 · Prerequisites

2 · Summary

Rings and ideals provide the scalars and quotient constructions used here, while vector spaces supply the motivating special case over a field. Earlier group results establish the pattern for kernels, quotient maps, factorisations, and first isomorphism theorems.

This page defines left and right modules, submodules, generated and free modules, simple modules, annihilators, torsion, quotient modules, and module homomorphisms. It proves the submodule criterion, kernel and image laws, quotient-module laws, the quotient universal property, and the first isomorphism theorem for modules.

3 · Logical flowchart

4 · Definitions, theorems and proofs

DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Unital left and right modules over a ring; unqualified module means left module

Definition

Let RR be a ring. A left RR-module is an abelian group (M,+,0M)(M,+,0_M) with a scalar action R×MMR\times M\to M, (r,m)rm(r,m)\mapsto rm, satisfying

r(m+n)=rm+rn,(r+s)m=rm+sm,(rs)m=r(sm),1Rm=m.r(m+n)=rm+rn,\quad (r+s)m=rm+sm,\quad (rs)m=r(sm),\quad 1_Rm=m.

A right RR-module has an action M×RMM\times R\to M, (m,r)mr(m,r)\mapsto mr, with the analogous right-handed axioms. Unless “right” is stated, module means a unital left module.

LemmaStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

In a module, 0Rm=0M0_Rm=0_M, r0M=0Mr0_M=0_M, (r)m=(rm)(-r)m=-(rm) and r(m)=(rm)r(-m)=-(rm)

Statement

For every left RR-module MM, scalar rRr\in R, and element mMm\in M,

0Rm=0M,r0M=0M,(r)m=(rm),r(m)=(rm).0_Rm=0_M,\qquad r0_M=0_M,\qquad (-r)m=-(rm),\qquad r(-m)=-(rm).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A left RR-module MM, rRr\in R, and mMm\in M.

[L1]

The module action distributes over both addition operations, and (M,+,0M)(M,+,0_M) is an abelian group (Unital left and right modules over a ring; unqualified module means left module).

[L2]

The additive structure (R,+,0R)(R,+,0_R) is an abelian group, so r+(r)=0Rr+(-r)=0_R (Ring: an abelian group under addition and a monoid under multiplication, with multiplication distributing over addition on both sides).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

Since 0R=0R+0R0_R=0_R+0_R, distributivity gives 0Rm=0Rm+0Rm0_Rm=0_Rm+0_Rm; cancellation yields 0Rm=0M0_Rm=0_M.

L1L3given
1.2

Since 0M=0M+0M0_M=0_M+0_M, distributivity gives r0M=r0M+r0Mr0_M=r0_M+r0_M; cancellation yields r0M=0Mr0_M=0_M.

L1L3given
2.1

From (r+(r))m=0Rm=0M(r+(-r))m=0_Rm=0_M, distributivity and step 1.1 give rm+(r)m=0Mrm+(-r)m=0_M, so (r)m=(rm)(-r)m=-(rm).

step 1.1L1L2L3given
3.1

From r(m+(m))=r0M=0Mr(m+(-m))=r0_M=0_M, distributivity and step 1.2 give rm+r(m)=0Mrm+r(-m)=0_M, so r(m)=(rm)r(-m)=-(rm).

step 1.2L1L3given
DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Submodule of a module

Definition

Let MM be a left RR-module. A subset NMN\subseteq M is a submodule when it is a subgroup of the additive group of MM and is closed under scalars:

rR, nNrnN.r\in R,\ n\in N\quad\Longrightarrow\quad rn\in N.

The operations on NN are the restrictions of those of MM. Write NMN\le M when the ring and module are understood.

LemmaStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

The one-step submodule criterion; intersections and sums of submodules are submodules

Statement

Let MM be a left RR-module. A nonempty subset SMS\subseteq M is a submodule if and only if

ru+vS(rR,u,vS).ru+v\in S\qquad(r\in R, u,v\in S).

Consequently, the intersection of every nonempty family of submodules is a submodule, and, for submodules A,BMA,B\le M,

A+B:={a+b:aA,bB}A+B:=\{a+b:a\in A, b\in B\}

is a submodule of MM.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A left RR-module MM.

[L1]

The module axioms include 1Rm=m1_Rm=m and distributivity of scalar multiplication over both additions (Unital left and right modules over a ring; unqualified module means left module).

[L2]

In a module, (r)m=(rm)(-r)m=-(rm); taking r=1Rr=1_R and using [L1] gives (1R)m=m(-1_R)m=-m (In a module, 0Rm=0M0_Rm=0_M, r0M=0Mr0_M=0_M, (r)m=(rm)(-r)m=-(rm) and r(m)=(rm)r(-m)=-(rm)).

[L4]

A submodule is an additive subgroup closed under scalar multiplication (Submodule of a module).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

If SS is a submodule, then uSu\in S implies ruSru\in S, and then ru+vSru+v\in S for rRr\in R and u,vSu,v\in S.

L4given
1.2

Conversely, suppose the displayed closure condition holds and choose sSs\in S. With r=1Rr=-1_R and both elements equal to ss, it gives (1R)s+s=0MS(-1_R)s+s=0_M\in S.

L1L2given
1.3

If u,vSu,v\in S, the same condition with scalar 1R-1_R, first element vv, and second element uu gives (1R)v+u=uvS(-1_R)v+u=u-v\in S.

L1L2given
2.1

The additive subgroup test applies by steps 1.2--1.3; scalar closure follows from the displayed condition with v=0Mv=0_M. Thus SS is a submodule.

step 1.2step 1.3L3L4given
3.1

For a nonempty family (Ni)(N_i) of submodules, 0M0_M lies in every NiN_i; and if u,vu,v lie in their intersection, then ru+vru+v lies in every NiN_i. The criterion proves iNi\bigcap_iN_i is a submodule.

step 2.1L4given
4.1

For x=a+bx=a+b and y=a+by=a'+b' in A+BA+B, distributivity gives rx+y=(ra+a)+(rb+b)A+Brx+y=(ra+a')+(rb+b')\in A+B; moreover 0M=0M+0MA+B0_M=0_M+0_M\in A+B. The criterion proves A+BA+B is a submodule.

step 2.1L1L4given
DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Generated submodule, cyclic and finitely generated modules, module basis and free module

Definition

Let MM be a left RR-module and SMS\subseteq M. The submodule generated by SS is

SR:={NM:SN}.\langle S\rangle_R:=\bigcap\{N\le M:S\subseteq N\}.

The family is nonempty because MMM\le M, and its intersection is a submodule by The one-step submodule criterion; intersections and sums of submodules are submodules. Thus SR\langle S\rangle_R is the smallest submodule of MM containing SS, just as The subgroup S\langle S \rangle generated by a subset, the cyclic subgroup g\langle g \rangle, and cyclic groups defines a generated subgroup.

The module MM is cyclic if M=mRM=\langle m\rangle_R for some mMm\in M, and finitely generated if M=SRM=\langle S\rangle_R for some finite SS. A subset BMB\subseteq M is a basis if every element of MM has a unique expression as a finite RR-linear combination of elements of BB. A module possessing a basis is a free RR-module.

DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Simple module: a nonzero module with no proper nonzero submodule

Definition

A left RR-module MM is simple if M0M\ne0 and its only submodules are 00 and MM. Equivalently, MM has no proper nonzero submodule.

DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Annihilators, torsion elements and the torsion subset of a module

Definition

For a left RR-module MM and mMm\in M, the annihilator of mm is

AnnR(m):={rR:rm=0M},\operatorname{Ann}_R(m):=\{r\in R:rm=0_M\},

and the annihilator of MM is

AnnR(M):={rR:rm=0M for every mM}.\operatorname{Ann}_R(M):=\{r\in R:rm=0_M\text{ for every }m\in M\}.

If RR is an integral domain, an element mMm\in M is a torsion element when rm=0Mrm=0_M for some nonzero rRr\in R. The set of all torsion elements is denoted Tor(M)\operatorname{Tor}(M); MM is torsion-free when Tor(M)={0M}\operatorname{Tor}(M)=\{0_M\}.

DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Quotient module M/NM/N with scalar multiplication on additive cosets

Definition

Let NMN\le M be a submodule of a left RR-module. Since the additive group of MM is abelian, NN is normal, so the additive quotient group M/NM/N consists of the cosets m+Nm+N. Its proposed scalar action is

r(m+N):=rm+N.r(m+N):=rm+N.

The well-definedness and module laws are established in The quotient action is well defined and makes M/NM/N a module . The resulting module is the quotient module M/NM/N.

DefinitionDefinition: Literature-sourcedProof: Not applicableaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Module homomorphism and isomorphism, kernel, image and cokernel

Definition

For left RR-modules M,NM,N, a function f:MNf:M\to N is an RR-module homomorphism if

f(m+m)=f(m)+f(m)andf(rm)=rf(m)f(m+m')=f(m)+f(m')\quad\text{and}\quad f(rm)=rf(m)

for all m,mMm,m'\in M and rRr\in R. It is a module isomorphism if it is a bijective module homomorphism.

Its kernel and image are

kerf:={mM:f(m)=0N},imf:={f(m):mM}.\ker f:=\{m\in M:f(m)=0_N\},\qquad\operatorname{im}f:=\{f(m):m\in M\}.

Once Kernels and images of module homomorphisms are submodules, and injectivity is equivalent to trivial kernel establishes that the image is a submodule, the cokernel of ff is the quotient module cokerf:=N/imf\operatorname{coker}f:=N/\operatorname{im}f.

TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

Kernels and images of module homomorphisms are submodules, and injectivity is equivalent to trivial kernel

Statement

For an RR-module homomorphism f:MNf:M\to N, both kerf\ker f and imf\operatorname{im}f are submodules. Moreover,

f is injectivekerf={0M}.f\text{ is injective}\quad\Longleftrightarrow\quad\ker f=\{0_M\}.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A homomorphism f:MNf:M\to N of left RR-modules.

[L1]

A module homomorphism preserves addition and scalar multiplication, and the displayed definitions give its kernel and image (Module homomorphism and isomorphism, kernel, image and cokernel).

[L2]

A nonempty subset of a module is a submodule exactly when it is closed under ru+vru+v (The one-step submodule criterion; intersections and sums of submodules are submodules).

[L4]

A group homomorphism is injective exactly when its kernel is trivial (A group homomorphism is injective if and only if its kernel is trivial).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

The kernel contains 0M0_M because f(0M)=0Nf(0_M)=0_N. If u,vkerfu,v\in\ker f and rRr\in R, then f(ru+v)=rf(u)+f(v)=0Nf(ru+v)=rf(u)+f(v)=0_N, so ru+vkerfru+v\in\ker f.

L1L3given
1.2

The image contains 0N=f(0M)0_N=f(0_M). If f(u),f(v)imff(u),f(v)\in\operatorname{im}f and rRr\in R, then rf(u)+f(v)=f(ru+v)rf(u)+f(v)=f(ru+v) lies in the image.

L1L3given
1.3

The additive underlying function has the same kernel described in [L1], so the group-homomorphism theorem gives ff injective exactly when kerf={0M}\ker f=\{0_M\}.

L1L4given
2.1

The submodule criterion applied to steps 1.1 and 1.2 proves that kerf\ker f and imf\operatorname{im}f are submodules.

step 1.1step 1.2L2
3.1

Together, steps 1.3 and 2.1 prove both assertions.

step 1.3step 2.1
TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

The quotient action is well defined and makes M/NM/N a module

Statement

Let NMN\le M be a submodule of a left RR-module. The rule

r(m+N):=rm+Nr(m+N):=rm+N

is independent of the representative m+Nm+N and, together with the additive quotient group, makes M/NM/N a left RR-module.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A left RR-module MM and a submodule NMN\le M.

[L1]

Additive cosets satisfy m+N=m+Nm+N=m'+N exactly when mmNm'-m\in N (xaHx\in aH iff a1xHa^{-1}x\in H, and aH=bHaH=bH iff a1bHa^{-1}b\in H).

[L2]

A submodule is closed under scalar multiplication and is an additive subgroup (Submodule of a module).

[L4]

The module axioms give distributivity, associativity of scalar action, and 1Rm=m1_Rm=m (Unital left and right modules over a ring; unqualified module means left module).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

If m+N=m+Nm+N=m'+N, then mmNm'-m\in N by [L1]. Thus r(mm)=rmrmNr(m'-m)=rm'-rm\in N by [L2, L4, L5], and [L1] gives rm+N=rm+Nrm+N=rm'+N; the proposed scalar action is well defined.

L1L2L4L5given
1.2

The quotient addition is an abelian group operation: it is a quotient-group operation by [L3], and (m+N)+(m+N)=(m+m)+N=(m+m)+N=(m+N)+(m+N)(m+N)+(m'+N)=(m+m')+N=(m'+m)+N=(m'+N)+(m+N).

L3L4given
1.3

For cosets, the module identities in MM give r((m+N)+(m+N))=r(m+m)+N=(rm+rm)+N=r(m+N)+r(m+N)r((m+N)+(m'+N))=r(m+m')+N=(rm+rm')+N=r(m+N)+r(m'+N), (r+s)(m+N)=r(m+N)+s(m+N)(r+s)(m+N)=r(m+N)+s(m+N), (rs)(m+N)=r(s(m+N))(rs)(m+N)=r(s(m+N)), and 1R(m+N)=m+N1_R(m+N)=m+N.

L4given
2.1

Steps 1.1--1.3 verify a well-defined scalar action on an abelian group satisfying all module axioms; hence M/NM/N is a left RR-module.

step 1.1step 1.2step 1.3L4
PropositionStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

The canonical map MM/NM\to M/N is a surjective module homomorphism with kernel NN; thus every submodule is a kernel

Statement

For a submodule NMN\le M, the canonical map

π:MM/N,π(m):=m+N,\pi:M\longrightarrow M/N,\qquad \pi(m):=m+N,

is a surjective RR-module homomorphism and has kernel NN. Hence every submodule is the kernel of a module homomorphism.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A left RR-module MM and a submodule NMN\le M.

[L1]

The quotient action is a well-defined module action (The quotient action is well defined and makes M/NM/N a module).

[L2]

The canonical projection of the underlying additive groups is a surjective group homomorphism (The canonical projection π:GG/N\pi:G\to G/N, π(g)=gN\pi(g)=gN, is a surjective group homomorphism).

[L3]

A module homomorphism preserves addition and scalar multiplication, and its kernel is the inverse image of zero (Module homomorphism and isomorphism, kernel, image and cokernel).

[L4]

The additive group of a submodule is closed under inverses, and the coset criterion consequently gives m+N=Nm+N=N if and only if mNm\in N (Submodule of a module, xaHx\in aH iff a1xHa^{-1}x\in H, and aH=bHaH=bH iff a1bHa^{-1}b\in H).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

The underlying additive map π\pi is a homomorphism and is surjective.

L2given
1.2

The quotient action gives π(rm)=rm+N=r(m+N)=rπ(m)\pi(rm)=rm+N=r(m+N)=r\pi(m).

L1given
1.3

Since π(m)=0M/N=N\pi(m)=0_{M/N}=N exactly when mNm\in N, its kernel is NN.

L3L4given
2.1

Steps 1.1--1.2 show that π\pi is a surjective module homomorphism.

step 1.1step 1.2L3
3.1

Together with step 1.3, this proves the claim and shows that every submodule is a kernel.

step 1.3step 2.1
TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

A module homomorphism vanishing on NN factors uniquely through M/NM/N

Statement

Let f:MPf:M\to P be a module homomorphism and let NMN\le M satisfy NkerfN\subseteq\ker f. There is a unique module homomorphism

fˉ:M/NP\bar f:M/N\longrightarrow P

such that fˉ(m+N)=f(m)\bar f(m+N)=f(m), equivalently f=fˉπf=\bar f\circ\pi.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A module homomorphism f:MPf:M\to P and a submodule NMN\le M with NkerfN\subseteq\ker f.

[L1]

The canonical map π:MM/N\pi:M\to M/N is a surjective module homomorphism with kernel NN (The canonical map MM/NM\to M/N is a surjective module homomorphism with kernel NN; thus every submodule is a kernel).

[L2]

A group homomorphism that kills a normal subgroup factors uniquely through the group quotient (A homomorphism that kills a normal subgroup factors uniquely through the quotient group).

[L3]

A module homomorphism is additive and scalar-preserving, and its kernel is the preimage of zero (Module homomorphism and isomorphism, kernel, image and cokernel).

Proof

technique · constructive
1.1

By [L1], the canonical map π:MM/N\pi:M\to M/N is an additive-group quotient map with kernel NN. Viewing the modules as additive groups, [L3] makes ff a group homomorphism and the hypothesis says it kills NN. By [L2], define the unique additive homomorphism fˉ\bar f by fˉ(m+N)=f(m)\bar f(m+N)=f(m), with f=fˉπf=\bar f\circ\pi.

L1L2L3givenconstruct
2.1

For every coset, fˉ(r(m+N))=fˉ(rm+N)=f(rm)=rf(m)=rfˉ(m+N)\bar f(r(m+N))=\bar f(rm+N)=f(rm)=rf(m)=r\bar f(m+N), so fˉ\bar f is scalar-preserving.

step 1.1L3given
3.1

Thus fˉ\bar f is a module homomorphism with the required factorisation.

step 1.1step 2.1L3
4.1

Any module-homomorphism factor is in particular an additive-group factor, so the uniqueness in step 1.1 proves its uniqueness as a module homomorphism.

step 1.1L2L3discharge-construct: final
TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-03Open item page →

First isomorphism theorem for modules: M/kerfimfM/\ker f\cong\operatorname{im}f

Statement

For every module homomorphism f:MNf:M\to N, there is a module isomorphism

M/kerf  imf,M/\ker f\ \cong\ \operatorname{im}f,

given by m+kerff(m)m+\ker f\mapsto f(m).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A module homomorphism f:MNf:M\to N.

[L1]

Its kernel and image are submodules, and a module homomorphism is injective exactly when its kernel is trivial (Kernels and images of module homomorphisms are submodules, and injectivity is equivalent to trivial kernel).

[L2]

A homomorphism vanishing on a submodule factors uniquely through the quotient module (A module homomorphism vanishing on NN factors uniquely through M/NM/N).

[L3]

Module isomorphisms are precisely bijective module homomorphisms; kernel and image have their displayed definitions (Module homomorphism and isomorphism, kernel, image and cokernel).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

Since kerf\ker f is a submodule and ff vanishes on it, [L2] gives a module homomorphism fˉ:M/kerfN\bar f:M/\ker f\to N with fˉ(m+kerf)=f(m)\bar f(m+\ker f)=f(m).

L1L2L3given
2.1

Every value of fˉ\bar f lies in imf\operatorname{im}f, and every f(m)f(m) is the value of fˉ\bar f at m+kerfm+\ker f; hence its corestriction fˉ:M/kerfimf\bar f:M/\ker f\to\operatorname{im}f is a surjective module homomorphism.

step 1.1L1L3given
2.2

The corestriction has trivial kernel: fˉ(m+kerf)=0N\bar f(m+\ker f)=0_N means f(m)=0Nf(m)=0_N, hence mkerfm\in\ker f and m+kerf=0M/kerfm+\ker f=0_{M/\ker f}.

step 1.1L1L3given
3.1

The corestriction is injective by [L1], so it is bijective.

step 2.1step 2.2L1
4.1

By [L3], this bijective module homomorphism is the claimed module isomorphism.

step 3.1L3

5 · Examples, counterexamples and false statements

None yet.

Sources

Standard references

Recommended treatments; not extraction sources.