Finite character-sum criteria for bijectivity #
Complex-valued characters form a basis of the function space on a finite abelian group. Consequently, if a self-map preserves the sum of every character, then it preserves the sum of every complex-valued function. Point indicators then force surjectivity, hence bijectivity.
For finite fields we also record the multiplicative analogue needed by the
MCM-permutation argument. If a map has zero as its unique zero and preserves
every multiplicative-character sum, restrict it to the unit group and apply the
additive criterion to Additive Kˣ.
A self-map of a finite abelian group is bijective if it preserves the sum of every complex-valued additive character.
A finite-field self-map is bijective if zero is its unique zero and it preserves the sum of every complex-valued multiplicative character.