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How do you compose two natural transformations?

The composition of two natural transformations η:F→G\eta : F \to G and γ:G→H\gamma : G \to H is defined componentwise. For each object xx in the source category CC, the xx-component of the composite transformation γ∘η\gamma \circ \eta is the composite morphism γx∘ηx\gamma_x \circ \eta_x in the target category DD.

Conditions

  • η\eta is a natural transformation from FF to GG.
  • γ\gamma is a natural transformation from GG to HH.
  • xx is an object in CC.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify two composable natural transformations, η:F→G\eta: F \to G and γ:G→H\gamma: G \to H.
  2. Select an arbitrary object xx in the source category CC.
  3. Retrieve the component morphisms ηx:F(x)→G(x)\eta_x: F(x) \to G(x) and γx:G(x)→H(x)\gamma_x: G(x) \to H(x) in the target category DD.
  4. Compose these morphisms in DD to get γx∘ηx:F(x)→H(x)\gamma_x \circ \eta_x: F(x) \to H(x).
  5. Define the xx-component of the new transformation as (γ∘η)x:=γx∘ηx(\gamma \circ \eta)_x := \gamma_x \circ \eta_x.
  6. Repeat for all objects xx in CC to fully define the composite natural transformation γ∘η\gamma \circ \eta.

Example

The speaker says, "And for composition, we'll say that the xx component of γ\gamma composed with η\eta is defined as γx\gamma_x composed with ηx\eta_x." The equation (γ∘η)x:=γx∘ηx(\gamma \circ \eta)_x := \gamma_x \circ \eta_x is displayed on the screen.

Common misconceptions

  • Attempting to compose the functors FF, GG, and HH instead of the natural transformations.
  • Forgetting that the composition is defined componentwise for each object xx.
  • Assuming the composition of natural transformations is defined by composing the morphisms in the source category CC.

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