The set denoted by $\mathbb{K}$

notation

Wikipedia's article on the Leibniz determinant formula states there exists one and only function $F:M_n(\mathbb{K})\mapsto\mathbb{K}$ which is alternating, multilinear and $F(1)=1$. I assume $M_n$ is the set of $n\times n$ square matrices, build around some set or field… $\mathbb{K}$ – but what is $\mathbb{K}$?

Additionally, what is the difference between $\mapsto$ ("mapsto") and $\to$ ("to")?

Best Answer

$\mathbb K$ can denote a generic field (Körper in German),

though it would have been good if the Wikipedia article had defined it.

When there is a function, $\to$ indicates what domain is mapped to what codomain,

whereas $\mapsto$ indicates where it takes a particular element.

For example, $\det:M_n(\mathbb K)\to \mathbb K$, and $\det:I\mapsto1$.

Related Question