Homomorphism from a finite cyclic group

ID: homomorphism-from-a-finite-cyclic-group

For any group , evaluation at a chosen generator of a group of gives a bijection between group homomorphisms and elements satisfying . A group homomorphism must send to . Conversely, this formula is well-defined because exponents differing by a multiple of give equal powers, and it respects multiplication. The displayed correspondence is a bijection of sets; it is not claimed to be a group isomorphism for a nonabelian target. In a symmetric group, the order of a group element is the least common multiple of its disjoint cycle lengths, making this correspondence easy to enumerate.

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