Let G,HG,H be . A group homomorphism is a φ ⁣:G→H\varphi\colon G\to H such that for all x,y∈Gx,y\in G,

φ(xy)=φ(x)φ(y).\varphi(xy)=\varphi(x)\varphi(y).

(Here xyxy denotes the product in GG and φ(x)φ(y)\varphi(x)\varphi(y) the product in HH.)

Basic consequences of the defining identity include: φ(eG)=eH\varphi(e_G)=e_H and φ(x−1)=φ(x)−1\varphi(x^{-1})=\varphi(x)^{-1} for all x∈Gx\in G. Two fundamental associated subgroups are the and the of φ\varphi. These are tied together by the .

Examples
  • For n≥1n\ge 1, the reduction map π ⁣:Z→Z/nZ\pi\colon \mathbb{Z}\to \mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} given by π(k)=k mod n\pi(k)=k\bmod n is a homomorphism of additive groups.
  • The determinant det⁡ ⁣:GLm(R)→R×\det\colon GL_m(\mathbb{R})\to \mathbb{R}^\times is a group homomorphism under multiplication.
  • If H≤GH\le G, the inclusion map H↪GH\hookrightarrow G is a group homomorphism.