Split sequence

split exact sequence, split short exact sequence

An exact sequence $$0 \rightarrow A \stackrel{f}{\rightarrow} B \stackrel{g}{\rightarrow} C \rightarrow 0 \label{eq:1}$$ in an Abelian category which is isomorphic to the direct sum sequence, $$0 \rightarrow A \rightarrow A \oplus C \rightarrow C \rightarrow 0$$ by an isomorphism $B \rightarrow A \oplus C$ which induces the identity on $A$ and on $C$. Sufficient conditions for an exact sequence \eqref{eq:1} to be split are the existence of a right inverse $f'$ for $f$, or of a left inverse $g'$ for $g$. The class of split exact sequences is the zero of the group $\mathrm{Ext}_R^1(A,C)$ (see Baer multiplication). In a category of vector spaces (that is, of modules over a fixed field) every exact sequence splits.

For relative homological algebra, the typical situation is to consider exact sequences in one category which split in another.

References

 [a1] S. MacLane, "Homology" , Springer (1963) pp. 16, 260 Zbl 0133.26502
How to Cite This Entry:
Split sequence. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Split_sequence&oldid=41781
This article was adapted from an original article by V.E. Govorov (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article