Consider the action of the group $G$ on the left cosets $G/H$ by left multiplication.
Proof.
Let $H$ be a subgroup of index $p$.
Then the group $G$ acts on the left cosets $G/H$ by left multiplication.
It induces the permutation representation $\rho: G \to S_p$.
Let $K=\ker \rho$ be the kernel of $\rho$.
Since $kH=H$ for $k\in K$, we have $K\subset H$.
Let $[H:K]=m$.
By the first isomorphism theorem, the quotient group $G/K$ is isomorphic to the subgroup of $S_p$, thus $[G:K]$ divides $|S_p|=p!$ by Lagrange’s theorem.
Since $[G:K]=[G:H][H:K]=pm$, we have $pm|p!$ and hence $m|(p-1)!$.
If $m$ has a prime factor $q$, then $q\geq p$ since the minimality of $p$ but the factors of $(p-1)!$ are only prime numbers less than $p$.
Thus $m|(p-1)!$ implies that $m=1$, hence $H=K$. Therefore $H$ is normal since a kernel is always normal.
Subgroup of Finite Index Contains a Normal Subgroup of Finite Index
Let $G$ be a group and let $H$ be a subgroup of finite index. Then show that there exists a normal subgroup $N$ of $G$ such that $N$ is of finite index in $G$ and $N\subset H$.
Proof.
The group $G$ acts on the set of left cosets $G/H$ by left multiplication.
Hence […]
Nontrivial Action of a Simple Group on a Finite Set
Let $G$ be a simple group and let $X$ be a finite set.
Suppose $G$ acts nontrivially on $X$. That is, there exist $g\in G$ and $x \in X$ such that $g\cdot x \neq x$.
Then show that $G$ is a finite group and the order of $G$ divides $|X|!$.
Proof.
Since $G$ acts on $X$, it […]
Normal Subgroups, Isomorphic Quotients, But Not Isomorphic
Let $G$ be a group. Suppose that $H_1, H_2, N_1, N_2$ are all normal subgroup of $G$, $H_1 \lhd N_2$, and $H_2 \lhd N_2$.
Suppose also that $N_1/H_1$ is isomorphic to $N_2/H_2$. Then prove or disprove that $N_1$ is isomorphic to $N_2$.
Proof.
We give a […]
Image of a Normal Subgroup Under a Surjective Homomorphism is a Normal Subgroup
Let $f: H \to G$ be a surjective group homomorphism from a group $H$ to a group $G$.
Let $N$ be a normal subgroup of $H$. Show that the image $f(N)$ is normal in $G$.
Proof.
To show that $f(N)$ is normal, we show that $gf(N)g^{-1}=f(N)$ for any $g \in […]
The Preimage of a Normal Subgroup Under a Group Homomorphism is Normal
Let $G$ and $G'$ be groups and let $f:G \to G'$ be a group homomorphism.
If $H'$ is a normal subgroup of the group $G'$, then show that $H=f^{-1}(H')$ is a normal subgroup of the group $G$.
Proof.
We prove that $H$ is normal in $G$. (The fact that $H$ is a subgroup […]
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 […]
Subgroup Containing All $p$-Sylow Subgroups of a Group
Suppose that $G$ is a finite group of order $p^an$, where $p$ is a prime number and $p$ does not divide $n$.
Let $N$ be a normal subgroup of $G$ such that the index $|G: N|$ is relatively prime to $p$.
Then show that $N$ contains all $p$-Sylow subgroups of […]
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 […]