A Simple Abelian Group if and only if the Order is a Prime Number
Let $G$ be a group. (Do not assume that $G$ is a finite group.)
Prove that $G$ is a simple abelian group if and only if the order of $G$ is a prime number.
Definition.
A group $G$ is called simple if $G$ is a nontrivial group and the only normal subgroups of $G$ is […]
Commutator Subgroup and Abelian Quotient Group
Let $G$ be a group and let $D(G)=[G,G]$ be the commutator subgroup of $G$.
Let $N$ be a subgroup of $G$.
Prove that the subgroup $N$ is normal in $G$ and $G/N$ is an abelian group if and only if $N \supset D(G)$.
Definitions.
Recall that for any $a, b \in G$, the […]
Prove that a Group of Order 217 is Cyclic and Find the Number of Generators
Let $G$ be a finite group of order $217$.
(a) Prove that $G$ is a cyclic group.
(b) Determine the number of generators of the group $G$.
Sylow's Theorem
We will use Sylow's theorem to prove part (a).
For a review of Sylow's theorem, check out the […]
Surjective Group Homomorphism to $\Z$ and Direct Product of Abelian Groups
Let $G$ be an abelian group and let $f: G\to \Z$ be a surjective group homomorphism.
Prove that we have an isomorphism of groups:
\[G \cong \ker(f)\times \Z.\]
Proof.
Since $f:G\to \Z$ is surjective, there exists an element $a\in G$ such […]
If the Quotient by the Center is Cyclic, then the Group is Abelian
Let $Z(G)$ be the center of a group $G$.
Show that if $G/Z(G)$ is a cyclic group, then $G$ is abelian.
Steps.
Write $G/Z(G)=\langle \bar{g} \rangle$ for some $g \in G$.
Any element $x\in G$ can be written as $x=g^a z$ for some $z \in Z(G)$ and $a \in \Z$.
Using […]
Group of Order 18 is Solvable
Let $G$ be a finite group of order $18$.
Show that the group $G$ is solvable.
Definition
Recall that a group $G$ is said to be solvable if $G$ has a subnormal series
\[\{e\}=G_0 \triangleleft G_1 \triangleleft G_2 \triangleleft \cdots \triangleleft G_n=G\]
such […]
Group of Order $pq$ is Either Abelian or the Center is Trivial
Let $G$ be a group of order $|G|=pq$, where $p$ and $q$ are (not necessarily distinct) prime numbers.
Then show that $G$ is either abelian group or the center $Z(G)=1$.
Hint.
Use the result of the problem "If the Quotient by the Center is Cyclic, then the Group is […]