Free module universal property: Let XX be a set and let FF be a free RR-module on XX, equipped with a function η:X→F\eta:X\to F. For any RR-module MM and any function g:X→Mg:X\to M, there exists a unique RR-module homomorphism g~:F→M\tilde g:F\to M such that g~∘η=g\tilde g\circ \eta=g.

As a diagram, the triangle commutes:

Commutative diagramX \arrow[r, "\eta"] \arrow[dr, "g"'] & F \arrow[d, dashed, "\exists!\,\tilde g"] \\ & M

This universal property characterizes as the “linearizations” of , turning into by unique extension.