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Category Theory

Explore objects and maps; universal constructions; representability and algebra. Concepts and connections are available independently of video coverage.

Prerequisites and connections

  • Function composition

    Composition applies one function after another where the output fits the next domain.

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Objects and maps

  • Categories

    A category has objects, morphisms, associative composition and identity morphisms.

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  • Functors

    A functor maps objects and morphisms while preserving identities and composition.

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  • Natural transformations

    Compatible morphisms between functor values commute with every source-category morphism.

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  • Categorical isomorphisms

    A morphism is an isomorphism when it has a two-sided compositional inverse.

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Universal constructions

  • Universal properties

    A universal property characterizes an object by unique compatible maps.

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  • Products and coproducts

    Products receive universal compatible maps; coproducts reverse the direction.

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  • Limits and colimits

    Limits and colimits generalize universal constructions over diagrams of objects and arrows.

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  • Adjunctions

    An adjunction relates morphism sets naturally between two functors.

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Representability and algebra

  • Yoneda lemma

    Maps from a representable functor into a functor correspond naturally to an element at its representing object.

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  • Equivalence of categories

    Functors inverse up to natural isomorphism express equivalence without literal equality of categories.

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  • Monoidal categories

    A tensor-like product and unit object obey coherent associativity and unit constraints.

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  • Abelian categories

    An abelian category supports additive structure, kernels, cokernels and exactness with compatible axioms.

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Curriculum scope reference