Units map to units: Let φ:R→S\varphi:R\to S be a unital ring homomorphism. If u∈Ru\in R is a unit, then φ(u)∈S\varphi(u)\in S is a unit and

φ(u−1)=φ(u)−1.\varphi(u^{-1})=\varphi(u)^{-1}.

Equivalently, φ\varphi restricts to a group homomorphism R×→S×R^\times\to S^\times on unit groups.

Remarks

For , any induces a homomorphism of the by sending each to its image. In particular, any identifies the unit groups of the two rings.