Suppose $F$ is algebraic over $\mathbb{Q}$ and $\varphi \colon F \to F$ is a homomorphism. Prove that $\varphi$ is an isomorphism.
I came across this question here but I don't quite get why $F$ has to be algebraic over a field.
I know $\phi$ is injective since $\ker(\phi) = 0$. Shouldn't it then follow that $\phi$ is an isomorphism since $F$ and $F$ have the same cardinality?
Can anyone give a counterexample?
Edit: I also don't get why $\phi$ is surjective.
Let $\alpha$ be an element of $F$.
Let $f(X)$ be the minimal polynomial of $\alpha$.
Let $S$ be the set of all the roots of $f(X)$ in $F$.
$\varphi$ induces an injective map $S\to S$.
Since $S$ is a finite set, this map is surjective.
Hence $\varphi$ is surjective.
Since $\phi$ maps $S$ onto $S$, how does that imply $\phi$ is surjective in the whole field?
Best Answer
Let $F=\mathbb Q(T)$. Then there is a homomorphism $F\to F$ given by $T\mapsto T^2$. It is not onto.
Edit: $\phi\colon F\to F$ is surjective because you can pick $\alpha\in F$ arbitrarily, then consider $S$ as in your quote, notice that $\phi$ is a permutation of the finite set $S$, hence there exists $\alpha'\in S$ with $\phi(\alpha')=\alpha$. In summary, for arbitrary $\alpha\in F$ there exists $\alpha'\in F$ such that $\phi(\alpha')=\alpha$.