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Been reading up on the idea of distributive categories. Suppose $\mathcal{C}$ is some category such that for all $A,B\in\mathcal{C}$ the product $A\times B$ and coproduct $A\oplus B$ exist.

So $\mathcal{C}$ is a distributive category if the canonical morphism $$ \phi\colon (A\times B)\oplus(A\times C)\to A\times (B\oplus C) $$ is an isomorphism.

This is a basic question, but what precisely is this so called canonical morphism? Really, what does an arbitrary "thing" (not sure if element is the right word here) in $(A\times B)\oplus(A\times C)$ look like, and where does it go under $\phi$?

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    In the context of your question, there are no *things* in $(A\times B)\oplus(A\times C)$.2011-09-16
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    Yes, I'm still not very sure of the language to use while communicating my problems here.2011-09-16
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    @groops: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributive_category $[1\times\iota_1,1\times\iota_2]$2011-09-27

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There is a canonical morphism $B\to B\oplus C$, which induces a morphism $\phi_1:A\times B\to A\times(B\oplus C)$. Similarly, there is a canonical morphism $C\to B\oplus C$ which induces a morphism $\phi_2:A\times C\to A\times(B\oplus C)$.

Now $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$ determine a unique morphism $(A\times B)\oplus(A\times C)\to A\times(B\oplus C)$. That's your morphism.

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    So the canonical injections are the place to start. Thanks!2011-09-16