# Monomorphism ## Definition In Category Theory a *monomorphism* is a morphism $f:X\to Y$ for which the following condition holds: For any two morphisms $g_1, g_2: Z\to X$ the identity $f\circ g_1 = g\circ g_2$ induces $g_1 = g_2$. ## As Injective Function **Monomorphisms are the categorial way to describe an injective function.** It is a bit more general, but for functions on sets, an injective function is always a monomorphism. Let $f:X\to Y$ be an injective function for the sets $X$ and $Y$. This in particular means that there is a function $h:f(X)\to X$ such that $h(f(x)) = x$ for all $x\in X$. Now lets have another set, $Z$, and two functions $g_1, g_2: Z\to X$ such that $f\circ g_1 = f\circ g_2$ which means in particular that $$f(g_1(z)) = f(g_2(z))$$ for all $z\in Z$. Therefore we get \begin{align*} g_1(z) &= h(f(g_1(z)))\\ &= h(f(g_2(z))) \\ &= g_2(z)\,. \end{align*} This means that $g_1=g_2$, and hence that $f$ is a monomorphism. ## To Note The categorial way to define a monomorphism cannot talk about the elements of a category object, because it has none, but it nevertheless manages to define a surjective function. [Start Page](/@HaraldK/HkUatr9Y5)