Subgroups Definition: a Subset H of a Group G Is a Subgroup of G If H Is

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Subgroups Definition: a Subset H of a Group G Is a Subgroup of G If H Is Subgroups Definition: A subset H of a group G is a subgroup of G if H is itself a group under the operation in G. Note: Every group G has at least two subgroups: G itself and the subgroup {e}, containing only the identity element. All other subgroups are said to be proper subgroups. Examples 1. GL(n,R), the set of invertible n ¥ n matrices with real entries is a group under matrix multiplication. We denote by SL(n,R) the set of n ¥ n matrices with real entries whose determinant is equal to 1. SL(n,R) is a proper subgroup of GL(n,R) . (GL(n,R), is called the general linear group and SL(n,R) the special linear group.) 2 3 2. In the group D4 , the group of symmetries of the square, the subset {e ,r,r ,r } forms a p proper subgroup, where r is the transformation defined by rotating units about the z- 2 axis. 3. In Z9 under the operation +, the subset {0, 3, 6} forms a proper subgroup. Problem 1: Find two different proper subgroups of S3. We will prove the following two theorems in class: Theorem: Let H be a nonempty subset of a group G. H is a subgroup of G iff (i) H is closed under the operation in G and (ii) every element in H has an inverse in H. For finite subsets, the situation is even simpler: Theorem: Let H be a nonempty finite subset of a group G. H is a subgroup of G iff H is closed under the operation in G . Problem 2: Let H and K be subgroups of a group G. (a) Prove that H « K is a subgroup of G. (b) Show that H » K need not be a subgroup † † Example: Let Z be the group of integers under addition. Define Hn to be the set of all multiples of n. It is easy to check that Hn is a subgroup of Z. Can you identify the subgroup Hn « H m ? Try it for H6 « H9 . † † † † † † † † † † † Note that the proof of part (a) of Problem 2 can be extended to prove that the intersection of any number of subgroups of G, finite or infinite, is again a subgroup. Cyclic Groups and Subgroups We can always construct a subset of a group G as follows: Choose any element a in G. Define n , i.e. a is the set consisting of all a ={a | n Œ Z} powers of a. Problem 3: Prove that a is a subgroup of G. Definition: a is called the cyclic subgroup generated by a. If a = G, then we say that G is a cyclic group. It is clear that cyclic groups are abelian. For the next result, we need to recall that two integers a and n are relatively prime if and only if gcd(a, n)=1. We have proved that if gcd(a, n)=1, then there are integers x and y such that ax + by =1. The converse of this statement is also true: Theorem: Let a and n be integers. Then gcd(a, n)=1 if and only if there are integers x and y such that ax + by =1. Problem 4: (a) Let U {a Z | gcd(a,n)=1}. Prove that U is a group under n = Œ n n multiplication modulo n. (Un is called the group of units in Zn .) (b) Determine whether or not Un is cyclic for n= 7, 8, 9, 15. We will prove the following in class. Theorem: Let G be a group and a Œ G. (1) If a has infinite order, then a is an infinite subgroup consisting of the distinct elements ak with k Œ Z . (2) If a has finite order n, then a is a subgroup of order n and 0 1 2 n-1 . a ={e = a ,a ,a ,...,a } † † Theorem: Every subgroup of a cyclic group is cyclic. Problem 5: Find all subgroups of U18. † Note: When the group operation is addition, we write the inverse of a by -a rather than a-1 , the identity by 0 rather than e, and ak by ka. For example, in the group of integers † † † under addition, the subgroup generated by 2 is 2 ={2k| k Œ Z}. Problem 6: Show that the additive group Z2 ¥ Z3 is cyclic, but Z2 ¥ Z2 is not. † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † Problem 7: Let G be a group of order n. Prove that G is cyclic if and only if G contains an element of order n. The notion of cyclic group can be generalized as follows. : Let S be a nonempty subset of a group G. Let S be the set of all possible products, in every order, of elements of S and their inverses. We will prove the following theorem in class. Theorem: Let S be a nonempty subset of a group G. (1) S is a subgroup of G that contains S. (2) If H is a subgroup of G that contains S, then H contains S . (3) S is the intersection of all subgroups of G that contain S. The second part of this last theorem states that S is the smallest subgroup of G that contains S . The group S is called the subgroup of G generated by S. Note that when S = {a}, S is just the cyclic subgroup generated by a. In the case when S =G, we say that G is generated by S, and the elements of S are called generators of G. k Example: Recall that we showed that every element in D4 could be represented by r or p ark for k=0, 1, 2, 3, where r is the transformation defined by rotating units about the 2 z-axis, and a is rotation p units about the line y=x in the x-y plane. Thus D4 is generated by S ={a, r}. Problem 8: Show that U15 is generated by {2, 13}. † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † 10-1-2019 Cyclic Groups Cyclic groups are groups in which every element is a power of some fixed element. (If the group is abelian and I’m using + as the operation, then I should say instead that every element is a multiple of some fixed element.) Here are the relevant definitions. Definition. Let G be a group, g ∈ G. The order of g is the smallest positive integer n such that gn = 1. If there is no positive integer n such that gn = 1, then g has infinite order. In the case of an abelian group with + as the operation and 0 as the identity, the order of g is the smallest positive integer n such that ng = 0. Definition. If G is a group and g ∈ G, then the subgroup generated by g is hgi = {gn | n ∈ Z}. If the group is abelian and I’m using + as the operation, then hgi = {ng | n ∈ Z}. Definition. A group G is cyclic if G = hgi for some g ∈ G. g is a generator of hgi. If a generator g has order n, G = hgi is cyclic of order n. If a generator g has infinite order, G = hgi is infinite cyclic. Example. (The integers and the integers mod n are cyclic) Show that Z and Zn for n> 0 are cyclic. Z is an infinite cyclic group, because every element is a multipleof1(orof −1). For instance, 117 = 117·1. (Remember that “117 · 1” is really shorthand for 1+1+ ··· +1 — 1 added to itself 117 times.) In fact, it is the only infinite cyclic group up to isomorphism. Notice that a cyclic group can have more than one generator. If n is a positive integer, Zn is a cyclic group of order n generated by 1. For example, 1 generates Z7, since 1+1=2 1+1+1=3 1+1+1+1=4 1+1+1+1+1=5 1+1+1+1+1+1=6 1+1+1+1+1+1+1=0 1 In other words, if you add 1 to itself repeatedly, you eventually cycle back to 0. 0 6 1 5 2 4 3 acyclicgroupoforder7 Notice that 3 also generates Z7: 3+3=6 3+3+3=2 3+3+3+3=5 3+3+3+3+3=1 3+3+3+3+3+3=4 3+3+3+3+3+3+3=0 The “same” group can be written using multiplicative notation this way: 2 3 4 5 6 Z7 = {1,a,a ,a ,a ,a ,a }. In this form, a is a generator of Z7. It turns out that in Z7 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}, every nonzero element generates the group. On the other hand, in Z6 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, only 1 and 5 generate. Lemma. Let G = hgi be a finite cyclic group, where g has order n. Then the powers {1,g,...,gn−1} are distinct. Proof. Since g has order n, g, g2, ...gn−1 are all different from 1. Now I’ll show that the powers {1,g,...,gn−1} are distinct. Suppose gi = gj where 0 ≤ j<i<n. Then 0 <i − j < n and gi−j = 1, contrary to the preceding observation. Therefore, the powers {1,g,...,gn−1} are distinct. Lemma. Let G = hgi be infinite cyclic. If m and n are integers and m 6= n, then gm 6= gn. Proof. One of m, n is larger — suppose without loss of generality that m > n. I want to show that gm 6= gn; suppose this is false, so gm = gn.
Recommended publications
  • The Sylow Theorems and Classification of Small Finite Order Groups
    Union College Union | Digital Works Honors Theses Student Work 6-2015 The yS low Theorems and Classification of Small Finite Order Groups William Stearns Union College - Schenectady, NY Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses Part of the Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons Recommended Citation Stearns, William, "The yS low Theorems and Classification of Small Finite Order Groups" (2015). Honors Theses. 395. https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/395 This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Work at Union | Digital Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of Union | Digital Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE SYLOW THEOREMS AND CLASSIFICATION OF SMALL FINITE ORDER GROUPS WILLIAM W. STEARNS Abstract. This thesis will provide an overview of various topics in group theory, all in order to accomplish the end goal of classifying all groups of order up to 15. An important precursor to classifying finite order groups, the Sylow Theorems illustrate what subgroups of a given group must exist, and constitute the first half of this thesis. Using these theorems in the latter sections we will classify all the possible groups of various orders up to isomorphism. In concluding this thesis, all possible distinct groups of orders up to 15 will be defined and the groundwork set for further study. 1. Introduction The results in this thesis require some background knowledge and motivation. To that end, material covered in an introductory course on abstract algebra should be sufficient. In particular, it is assumed that the reader is familiar with the concepts and definitions of: group, subgroup, coset, index, homomorphism, and kernel.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Lagrange's Theorem
    1 Lagrange's theorem Definition 1.1. The index of a subgroup H in a group G, denoted [G : H], is the number of left cosets of H in G ( [G : H] is a natural number or infinite). Theorem 1.2 (Lagrange's Theorem). If G is a finite group and H is a subgroup of G then jHj divides jGj and jGj [G : H] = : jHj Proof. Recall that (see lecture 16) any pair of left cosets of H are either equal or disjoint. Thus, since G is finite, there exist g1; :::; gn 2 G such that n • G = [i=1giH and • for all 1 ≤ i < j ≤ n, giH \ gjH = ;. Since n = [G : H], it is enough to now show that each coset of H has size jHj. Suppose g 2 G. The map 'g : H ! gH : h 7! gh is surjective by definition. The map 'g is injective; for whenever gh1 = 'g(h1) = 'g(h2) = gh2 −1 , multiplying on the left by g , we have that h1 = h2. Thus each coset of H in G has size jHj. Thus n n X X jGj = jgiHj = jHj = [G : H]jHj i=1 i=1 Note that in the above proof we could have just as easily worked with right cosets. Thus if G is a finite group and H is a subgroup of G then the number of left cosets is equal to the number of right cosets. More generally, the map gH 7! Hg−1 is a bijection between the set of left cosets of H in G and the set of right cosets of H in G.
    [Show full text]
  • Syntactic and Rees Indices of Subsemigroups
    JOURNAL OF ALGEBRA 205, 435]450Ž. 1998 ARTICLE NO. JA977392 Syntactic and Rees Indices of Subsemigroups N. RuskucÏ U Mathematical Institute, Uni¨ersity of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, Scotland and View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE R. M. Thomas² provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Uni¨ersity of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, England Communicated by T. E. Hall Received August 28, 1996 We define two different notions of index for subsemigroups of semigroups: the Ž.right syntactic index and the Rees index. We investigate the relationships be- tween them and with the group index. In particular, we show that the syntactic index is a generalisation of both the group index and the Rees index. We use this fact to prove further similarities between the group index and the Rees index. It turns out, however, that very few of the nice properties of the group index are inherited by the syntactic index. Q 1998 Academic Press 1. INTRODUCTION The notion of the index of a subgroup in a group is one of the most basic concepts of group theory. It provides one with a sort of ``measure'' of how much smaller the subgroup is when compared to the group. This is particularly reflected in the fact that subgroups of finite index share many properties with the group. A notion of the indexŽ. which in this paper will be called the Rees index for subsemigroups of semigroups was introduced by Jurawx 11 , and is considered in more detail inwxwx 2, 4, 6, 5, 24 .
    [Show full text]
  • Group Theory
    Chapter 1 Group Theory Most lectures on group theory actually start with the definition of what is a group. It may be worth though spending a few lines to mention how mathe- maticians came up with such a concept. Around 1770, Lagrange initiated the study of permutations in connection with the study of the solution of equations. He was interested in understanding solutions of polynomials in several variables, and got this idea to study the be- haviour of polynomials when their roots are permuted. This led to what we now call Lagrange’s Theorem, though it was stated as [5] If a function f(x1,...,xn) of n variables is acted on by all n! possible permutations of the variables and these permuted functions take on only r values, then r is a divisior of n!. It is Galois (1811-1832) who is considered by many as the founder of group theory. He was the first to use the term “group” in a technical sense, though to him it meant a collection of permutations closed under multiplication. Galois theory will be discussed much later in these notes. Galois was also motivated by the solvability of polynomial equations of degree n. From 1815 to 1844, Cauchy started to look at permutations as an autonomous subject, and introduced the concept of permutations generated by certain elements, as well as several nota- tions still used today, such as the cyclic notation for permutations, the product of permutations, or the identity permutation. He proved what we call today Cauchy’s Theorem, namely that if p is prime divisor of the cardinality of the group, then there exists a subgroup of cardinality p.
    [Show full text]
  • Algebra in Action
    Shahriari August 2018 Daily Assignments and Lectures for Abstract Algebra I|Groups and Rings Based on Shahriar Shahriari, Algebra in Action. A course in Groups, Rings, and Fields, AMS, 2017. Courses Based on the Text . Depending on the curriculum of your department and the mathe- matical background and mathematical maturity of your students, a number of different courses based on this text are possible. Some possibilities are as follows: • A course on Group Theory. A solid semester course on Group Theory would cover chapters 1 through 6 followed by chapters 10 and 11. These chapters cover examples of groups (dihedral, symmetric, Z=nZ, the general linear group), basic group theory (cyclic groups, direct products, isomorphisms, and subgroups), symmetric and alternating groups, group actions, cosets and Lagrange's Theorem, conjugacy classes and the class equation, normal subgroups and quotient groups, and group homomorphisms. Time permitting, one can go back and do Sylow theorems (chapter 7), and/or Burnside counting (chapter 8). Limiting yourself to group theory, will allow for a more leisurely pace, and the possibility of significant group work in class. You can also spend more time on prerequisites (induction, 1-1/onto functions, basic properties of integers). There is no need to cover chapter 9 (lattice diagrams of subgroups) but it is a good idea to read through the chapter yourself and to introduce basic subgroup diagrams throughout the course. For such a course, the plan presented in the next few pages can be modified, and you still may find my commentary about the material in each section useful.
    [Show full text]
  • Solutions to Exercises
    Solutions to Exercises In this chapter we present solutions to some exercises along with hints for helping to solve others. Solutions to Exercises in Chapter I Exercise 1.8. We prove first the validity of the associative law of addition, that is, the equality n + (m + p) = (n + m) + p (1) for all n, m, p N. We do this by induction on p. For p = 0, the assertion is 2 clear. Suppose, then, that assertion (1) holds for an arbitrary but fixed p N 2 and for all n, m N. Then from the definition of addition and the induction hypothesis, we have2 the equality (n + m) + p∗ = ((n + m) + p)∗ = (n + (m + p))∗ = n + (m + p)∗ = n + (m + p∗), as desired. This proves the associativity of addition. The first distributive law, that is, the equality (n + m) p = n p + m p (2) · · · for all n, m, p N, can be proved using the associativity and commutativity 2 of addition along with induction on p. For p = 0, the assertion is clear. Sup- pose now that (2) holds for an arbitrary but fixed p N and for all n, m N. Then we have 2 2 (n + m) p∗ = (n + m) p + (n + m) = (n p + m p) + (n + m) · · · · = (n p + n) + (m p + m) = n p∗ + m p∗, · · · · as desired. This proves the asserted distributivity. Using the first distributive law, one can then prove the commutativity of multiplication by induction. This then also yields the validity of the second distributive law. Finally, one can prove the associativity of multiplication by induction.
    [Show full text]
  • COSETS and LAGRANGE's THEOREM 1. Introduction Pick An
    COSETS AND LAGRANGE'S THEOREM KEITH CONRAD 1. Introduction Pick an integer m 6= 0. For a 2 Z, the congruence class a mod m is the set of integers a + mk as k runs over Z. We can write this set as a + mZ. This can be thought of as a translated subgroup: start with the subgroup mZ and add a to it. This idea can be carried over from Z to any group at all, provided we distinguish between translation of a subgroup on the left and on the right. Definition 1.1. Let G be a group and H be a subgroup. For g 2 G, the sets gH = fgh : h 2 Hg; Hg = fhg : h 2 Hg are called, respectively, a left H-coset and a right H-coset. In other words, a coset is what we get when we take a subgroup and shift it (either on the left or on the right). The best way to think about cosets is that they are shifted subgroups, or translated subgroups. Note g lies in both gH and Hg, since g = ge = eg. Typically gH 6= Hg. When G is abelian, though, left and right cosets of a subgroup by a common element are the same thing. When an abelian group operation is written additively, an H-coset should be written as g + H, which is the same as H + g. Example 1.2. In the additive group Z, with subgroup mZ, the mZ-coset of a is a + mZ. This is just a congruence class modulo m.
    [Show full text]
  • Cosets and Lagrange's Theorem
    COSETS AND LAGRANGE'S THEOREM KEITH CONRAD 1. Introduction Pick an integer m 6= 0. For a 2 Z, the congruence class a mod m is the set of integers a + mk as k runs over Z. We can write this set as a + mZ. This can be thought of as a translated subgroup: start with the subgroup mZ and add a to it. This idea can be carried over from Z to any group at all, provided we distinguish between translation of a subgroup on the left and on the right. Definition 1.1. Let G be a group and H be a subgroup. For g 2 G, the sets gH = fgh : h 2 Hg; Hg = fhg : h 2 Hg are called, respectively, a left H-coset and a right H-coset. In other words, a coset is what we get when we take a subgroup and shift it (either on the left or on the right). The best way to think about cosets is that they are shifted subgroups, or translated subgroups. Note g lies in both gH and Hg, since g = ge = eg. Typically gH 6= Hg. When G is abelian, though, left and right cosets of a subgroup by a common element are the same thing. When an abelian group operation is written additively, an H-coset should be written as g + H, which is the same as H + g. Example 1.2. In the additive group Z, with subgroup mZ, the mZ-coset of a is a + mZ. This is just a congruence class modulo m.
    [Show full text]
  • DETECTING the INDEX of a SUBGROUP in the SUBGROUP LATTICE 1. Introduction for Every Group G, We Shall Denote By
    PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY Volume 133, Number 4, Pages 979–985 S 0002-9939(04)07638-5 Article electronically published on September 16, 2004 DETECTING THE INDEX OF A SUBGROUP IN THE SUBGROUP LATTICE M. DE FALCO, F. DE GIOVANNI, C. MUSELLA, AND R. SCHMIDT (Communicated by Jonathan I. Hall) Abstract. A theorem by Zacher and Rips states that the finiteness of the index of a subgroup can be described in terms of purely lattice-theoretic con- cepts. On the other hand, it is clear that if G is a group and H is a subgroup of finite index of G, the index |G : H| cannot be recognized in the lattice L(G) of all subgroups of G, as for instance all groups of prime order have isomor- phic subgroup lattices. The aim of this paper is to give a lattice-theoretic characterization of the number of prime factors (with multiplicity) of |G : H|. 1. Introduction For every group G, we shall denote by L(G) the lattice of all subgroups of G.If G and G¯ are groups, an isomorphism from the lattice L(G) onto the lattice L(G¯)is also called a projectivity from G onto G¯; one of the main problems in the theory of subgroup lattices is to find group properties that are invariant under projectivities. In 1980, Zacher [5] and Rips proved independently that any projectivity from a group G ontoagroupG¯ maps each subgroup of finite index of G to a subgroup of finite index of G¯. In addition, Zacher gave a lattice-theoretic characterization of the finiteness of the index of a subgroup in a group; other characterizations were given by Schmidt [3].
    [Show full text]
  • Virtually Cyclic Subgroups of Three-Dimensional Crystallographic Groups
    VIRTUALLY CYCLIC SUBGROUPS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC GROUPS ANDREW GAINER, LISA LACKNEY, KATELYN PARKER, AND KIMBERLY PEARSON Abstract. An enumeration of the virtually cyclic subgroups of the three-dimensional crystallographic groups (“space groups”) is given. Additionally, we offer explanations of the underlying group theory and develop several exclusion theorems which simplify our calculations. 1. Introduction 1.1. Crystallographic Groups. The crystallographic groups may be understood geometrically, linear- algebraically, or abstract-algebraically. All three approaches will play a role in the theorems that follow, so we will outline all three here. The geometric approach is the most easily understood by intuition alone, so we will explore it first. 1.1.1. Geometric Approach. We first consider an infinite regular tiling of a Euclidean plane; similar efforts may be made on spherical or hyperbolic geometries, but this is beyond the scope of our research. We require that there be two linearly independent translations which each preserve the pattern’s symmetry— that is, that we can move the plane by specific finite distances in two distinct directions and return the pattern to its original state. Beyond these two required translations, we may be able to reflect the plane across some line or rotate it about the origin and preserve its symmetry; in some cases, it may be possible to translate and then reflect the plane such that neither the translation nor the reflection alone preserve symmetry, but their combination does— this will be termed a “glide-reflection.” In all there are seventeen possible combinations of translations, reflections, rotations, and glide-reflections which uniquely describe ways to preserve symmetries of plane patterns.
    [Show full text]
  • Normal Subgroups
    Normal Subgroups Definition A subgroup H of a group G is said to be normal in G, denoted H/G, if the left and right cosets gH and Hg are equal for all g 2 G. Equivalently, H is normal in G if gHg−1 = fghg−1 : h 2 Hg is a subset of H for every g 2 G. Example Recall that GL2(R) is the group of invertible, 2 × 2 matrices with real entries under matrix multiplication. The subgroup SL2(R) of 2 × 2 invertible matrices with determinant 1 (called the special linear group) is normal in GL2(R). To −1 see this, let g be any matrix in GL2(R), and let h be any matrix in SL2(R). We need to check that ghg is in SL2(R); that is, that it is also a matrix with determinant 1: −1 −1 −1 −1 −1 det(ghg ) = det(g) det(h) det(g ) = det(g)1 det(g ) = det(g) det(g ) = det(gg ) = det(I2) = 1 Finding normal subgroups using this definition can be difficult, as can proving that a subgroup is normal. Fortunately, we have several theorems that help with specific situations. Theorem 1 The trivial subgroup (containing only the identity) is normal in every group, and every group is a normal subgroup of itself. Theorem 2 Every subgroup of an Abelian group is normal. Theorem 3 The center of a group is normal in the group. Recall that the index of a subgroup H in a group G is the number of distinct left cosets of H in G.
    [Show full text]
  • Undergraduate Representation Theory: Exercise Set 3
    Undergraduate Representation Theory: Exercise Set 3 Professor Karen Smith Reading: Dummit and Foote pp 36{39, 46-48, 54{59, 61{64, 66-71, 73-85, Problem 1: Normal Subgroups. A subgroup H of G is normal if gHg−1 ⊂ H for all g 2 G, or equivalently if gH = Hg for all g 2 G. 1. Show that every subgroup of an abelian group is normal. 2. Which subgroups of D4 are normal? 3. A group G is simple if it has no non-trivial proper normal subgroups. Find all simple cyclic groups. 4. The index of a subgroup K of G is the number of distinct (right) cosets of K. Prove that a subgroup of index two is always normal. 5. Prove or disprove: Dn is simple. Problem 2: Homomorphisms. Let φ :(G; ◦G) ! (H; ◦H ) be a group homomorphism. (By definition, φ is a map of sets satisfying φ(g1 ◦G g2) = φ(g1) ◦H φ(g2): ) Show that: a. Homomorphisms preserve the identity: φ(eG) = eH . b. Homomorphisms preserve inverses: φ(g−1) = [φ(g)]−1. c. The kernel of a homomorphism is a normal subgroup of G: that is, ker φ = fg 2 G j φ(g) = eH g is a normal subgroup of G. d. Prove that φ is injective if and only if ker φ is the trivial subgroup feGg of G. e. The image of a homomorphism is a subgroup: that is, im φ = fh 2 H j there exists g 2 G with φ(g) = hg is a subgroup of H.
    [Show full text]