# Describe all group homomorphisms from $\mathbb Z$ to $D_8$

Describe all group homomorphisms from $\mathbb Z$ to $D_8$.

So $\mathbb Z=\langle1\rangle$, and $f(1)$ determines the homomorphism. So every homomorphism is determined by $f(1)=\sigma$, and for some $m \in Z$, $f(m)=\sigma^m$. How can I find the number of homomorphisms from here though? What should I look at?

• $f(1)$ determines the homomorphism. But conversely, given any $\sigma$, there's a unique $f$ such that $f(1) = \sigma$... – Najib Idrissi Jun 25 '14 at 7:55
• Let $\sigma \in D_8$, then define $f(m) = \sigma^m$. Then you can check immediately that this is a homomorphism. – Najib Idrissi Jun 25 '14 at 8:17
You know $f$ is determined by the value on $f(1)\in D_8$.
So, are there any restrictions on the value of $f(1)$?
• Doesn't seem so. Is that a good enough explanation to why every $f(1)=\sigma$ determines a unique homomorphism? If so, there are 8 homomorphisms... – Hestag Jun 25 '14 at 8:01
• @Hestag That's correct. Since $f(1)$ determines $f(n)$ for all $n\in\Bbb Z$, the value of $f(1)$ determines a unique homomorphism. In fact, $|\hom(\Bbb Z,G)|=|G|$ for any group $G$ by the same argument. – blue Jun 25 '14 at 8:18