Mathematics Group Theory Problems And Solutions Pdf

Determine the Number of Elements of Order 3 in a Non-Cyclic Group of Order 57

Problem 628

Let $G$ be a group of order $57$. Assume that $G$ is not a cyclic group.

Then determine the number of elements in $G$ of order $3$.

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If There are 28 Elements of Order 5, How Many Subgroups of Order 5?

Problem 626

Let $G$ be a group. Suppose that the number of elements in $G$ of order $5$ is $28$.

Determine the number of distinct subgroups of $G$ of order $5$.

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Union of Two Subgroups is Not a Group

Problem 625

Let $G$ be a group and let $H_1, H_2$ be subgroups of $G$ such that $H_1 \not \subset H_2$ and $H_2 \not \subset H_1$.

(a) Prove that the union $H_1 \cup H_2$ is never a subgroup in $G$.

(b) Prove that a group cannot be written as the union of two proper subgroups.

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Group Theory

12/02/2017

by Yu · Published 12/02/2017 · Last modified 12/01/2017

Normal Subgroup Whose Order is Relatively Prime to Its Index

Problem 621

Let $G$ be a finite group and let $N$ be a normal subgroup of $G$.
Suppose that the order $n$ of $N$ is relatively prime to the index $|G:N|=m$.

(a) Prove that $N=\{a\in G \mid a^n=e\}$.

(b) Prove that $N=\{b^m \mid b\in G\}$.

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The Set of Square Elements in the Multiplicative Group $(\Zmod{p})^*$

Problem 616

Suppose that $p$ is a prime number greater than $3$.
Consider the multiplicative group $G=(\Zmod{p})^*$ of order $p-1$.

(a) Prove that the set of squares $S=\{x^2\mid x\in G\}$ is a subgroup of the multiplicative group $G$.

(b) Determine the index $[G : S]$.

(c) Assume that $-1\notin S$. Then prove that for each $a\in G$ we have either $a\in S$ or $-a\in S$.

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The Number of Elements Satisfying $g^5=e$ in a Finite Group is Odd

Problem 614

Let $G$ be a finite group. Let $S$ be the set of elements $g$ such that $g^5=e$, where $e$ is the identity element in the group $G$.

Prove that the number of elements in $S$ is odd.

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Group Homomorphism from $\Z/n\Z$ to $\Z/m\Z$ When $m$ Divides $n$

Problem 613

Let $m$ and $n$ be positive integers such that $m \mid n$.

(a) Prove that the map $\phi:\Zmod{n} \to \Zmod{m}$ sending $a+n\Z$ to $a+m\Z$ for any $a\in \Z$ is well-defined.

(b) Prove that $\phi$ is a group homomorphism.

(c) Prove that $\phi$ is surjective.

(d) Determine the group structure of the kernel of $\phi$.

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Example of an Infinite Group Whose Elements Have Finite Orders

Problem 594

Is it possible that each element of an infinite group has a finite order?
If so, give an example. Otherwise, prove the non-existence of such a group.

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If a Half of a Group are Elements of Order 2, then the Rest form an Abelian Normal Subgroup of Odd Order

Problem 575

Let $G$ be a finite group of order $2n$.
Suppose that exactly a half of $G$ consists of elements of order $2$ and the rest forms a subgroup.
Namely, suppose that $G=S\sqcup H$, where $S$ is the set of all elements of order in $G$, and $H$ is a subgroup of $G$. The cardinalities of $S$ and $H$ are both $n$.

Then prove that $H$ is an abelian normal subgroup of odd order.

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Every Group of Order 24 Has a Normal Subgroup of Order 4 or 8

Problem 568

Prove that every group of order $24$ has a normal subgroup of order $4$ or $8$.

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Every Group of Order 12 Has a Normal Subgroup of Order 3 or 4

Problem 566

Let $G$ be a group of order $12$. Prove that $G$ has a normal subgroup of order $3$ or $4$.

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If the Quotient is an Infinite Cyclic Group, then Exists a Normal Subgroup of Index $n$

Problem 557

Let $N$ be a normal subgroup of a group $G$.
Suppose that $G/N$ is an infinite cyclic group.

Then prove that for each positive integer $n$, there exists a normal subgroup $H$ of $G$ of index $n$.

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Group Theory

09/03/2017

by Yu · Published 09/03/2017 · Last modified 12/27/2017

If Generators $x, y$ Satisfy the Relation $xy^2=y^3x$, $yx^2=x^3y$, then the Group is Trivial

Problem 554

Let $x, y$ be generators of a group $G$ with relation
\begin{align*}
xy^2=y^3x,\tag{1}\\
yx^2=x^3y.\tag{2}
\end{align*}

Prove that $G$ is the trivial group.

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Group Theory

08/21/2017

by Yu · Published 08/21/2017 · Last modified 12/27/2017

The Product of Distinct Sylow $p$-Subgroups Can Never be a Subgroup

Problem 544

Let $G$ a finite group and let $H$ and $K$ be two distinct Sylow $p$-group, where $p$ is a prime number dividing the order $|G|$ of $G$.

Prove that the product $HK$ can never be a subgroup of the group $G$.

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The Normalizer of a Proper Subgroup of a Nilpotent Group is Strictly Bigger

Problem 523

Let $G$ be a nilpotent group and let $H$ be a proper subgroup of $G$.

Then prove that $H \subsetneq N_G(H)$, where $N_G(H)$ is the normalizer of $H$ in $G$.

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Elements of Finite Order of an Abelian Group form a Subgroup

Problem 522

Let $G$ be an abelian group and let $H$ be the subset of $G$ consisting of all elements of $G$ of finite order. That is,
\[H=\{ a\in G \mid \text{the order of $a$ is finite}\}.\]

Prove that $H$ is a subgroup of $G$.

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Group Theory

07/15/2017

by Yu · Published 07/15/2017 · Last modified 07/30/2017

The Additive Group of Rational Numbers and The Multiplicative Group of Positive Rational Numbers are Not Isomorphic

Problem 510

Let $(\Q, +)$ be the additive group of rational numbers and let $(\Q_{ > 0}, \times)$ be the multiplicative group of positive rational numbers.

Prove that $(\Q, +)$ and $(\Q_{ > 0}, \times)$ are not isomorphic as groups.

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Group Theory

06/30/2017

by Yu · Published 06/30/2017 · Last modified 10/25/2017

The Existence of an Element in an Abelian Group of Order the Least Common Multiple of Two Elements

Problem 497

Let $G$ be an abelian group.
Let $a$ and $b$ be elements in $G$ of order $m$ and $n$, respectively.
Prove that there exists an element $c$ in $G$ such that the order of $c$ is the least common multiple of $m$ and $n$.

Also determine whether the statement is true if $G$ is a non-abelian group.

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Group Theory

06/27/2017

by Yu · Published 06/27/2017 · Last modified 09/28/2017

Every Finite Group Having More than Two Elements Has a Nontrivial Automorphism

Problem 495

Prove that every finite group having more than two elements has a nontrivial automorphism.

(Michigan State University, Abstract Algebra Qualifying Exam)

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