$\phi: A^n \to A^n$ be any injective $A$ linear map,will $\phi$ be surjective?

Question

Let $A$ be a commutative ring with $1$ and $\phi: A^n \to A^n$ be any injective $A$ linear map. Can I say $\phi $ is surjective ?

We know about the converse that surjectiveness implies injectivitness, but I don't know how to approach for this direction. I need some help. Thanks.

Interestingly you have the other implication when $A$ is noetherian, if $\phi$ is surjective then it must be injective. link — nowhere dense, Apr 12 '18 at 16:38

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 11 '18 at 08:52

This is true if and only if every non-zero divisor of $A$ is invertible:

Let $n=1$ and $\phi$ be multiplication by a non-zero divisor $a \in A$. Then $\phi$ is injective, and surjective iff $a$ is invertible.

Conversely, let every non-zero divisor be invertible and $\phi : A^n \to A^n$ injective. Then $\det \phi$ is not a zero-divisor (see https://math.stackexchange.com/a/161544/43288) and thus invertible, so from $\phi \circ \phi^{ad} = \det \phi \cdot \operatorname{id}_{A^n}$ it follows that $\phi$ is invertible.

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 11 '18 at 08:33

4

No : for example the map $\mathbb{Z}\to \mathbb{Z}:n\mapsto 2n$ is injective and $\mathbb{Z}$-linear but not surjective.

answered Apr 11 '18 at 08:33

Arnaud D.

21,484

If $A$ is a ring for which this does hold, will $A$ be self-injective? – Tobias Kildetoft Apr 11 '18 at 08:37

$\phi: A^n \to A^n$ be any injective $A$ linear map,will $\phi$ be surjective?

2 Answers2