Since the center $Z(G)$ is a (normal) subgroup of $G$, the order of $Z(G)$ divides the order of $G$ by Lagrange’s theorem.
Thus the order of $Z(G)$ is one of $1,p,q,pq$.
Suppose that $Z(G)\neq 1$.
Then the order of the quotient group $G/Z(G)$ is one of $1,p,q$.
Hence the group $G/Z(G)$ is a cyclic group.
The Index of the Center of a Non-Abelian $p$-Group is Divisible by $p^2$
Let $p$ be a prime number.
Let $G$ be a non-abelian $p$-group.
Show that the index of the center of $G$ is divisible by $p^2$.
Proof.
Suppose the order of the group $G$ is $p^a$, for some $a \in \Z$.
Let $Z(G)$ be the center of $G$. Since $Z(G)$ is a subgroup of $G$, the order […]
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 […]
Use Lagrange’s Theorem to Prove Fermat’s Little Theorem
Use Lagrange's Theorem in the multiplicative group $(\Zmod{p})^{\times}$ to prove Fermat's Little Theorem: if $p$ is a prime number then $a^p \equiv a \pmod p$ for all $a \in \Z$.
Before the proof, let us recall Lagrange's Theorem.
Lagrange's Theorem
If $G$ is a […]
Abelian Normal subgroup, Quotient Group, and Automorphism Group
Let $G$ be a finite group and let $N$ be a normal abelian subgroup of $G$.
Let $\Aut(N)$ be the group of automorphisms of $G$.
Suppose that the orders of groups $G/N$ and $\Aut(N)$ are relatively prime.
Then prove that $N$ is contained in the center of […]
A Group of Order the Square of a Prime is Abelian
Suppose the order of a group $G$ is $p^2$, where $p$ is a prime number.
Show that
(a) the group $G$ is an abelian group, and
(b) the group $G$ is isomorphic to either $\Zmod{p^2}$ or $\Zmod{p} \times \Zmod{p}$ without using the fundamental theorem of abelian […]
Normal Subgroup Whose Order is Relatively Prime to Its Index
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 $N=\{b^m \mid b\in G\}$.
Proof.
Note that as $n$ and […]
No Finite Abelian Group is Divisible
A nontrivial abelian group $A$ is called divisible if for each element $a\in A$ and each nonzero integer $k$, there is an element $x \in A$ such that $x^k=a$.
(Here the group operation of $A$ is written multiplicatively. In additive notation, the equation is written as $kx=a$.) That […]