More from my site

• Find an Orthonormal Basis of $\R^3$ Containing a Given Vector Let $\mathbf{v}_1=\begin{bmatrix} 2/3 \\ 2/3 \\ 1/3 \end{bmatrix}$ be a vector in $\R^3$. Find an orthonormal basis for $\R^3$ containing the vector $\mathbf{v}_1$.   The first solution uses the Gram-Schumidt orthogonalization process. On the other hand, the second […]
• 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 […]
• The Order of $ab$ and $ba$ in a Group are the Same Let $G$ be a finite group. Let $a, b$ be elements of $G$. Prove that the order of $ab$ is equal to the order of $ba$. (Of course do not assume that $G$ is an abelian group.)   Proof. Let $n$ and $m$ be the order of $ab$ and $ba$, respectively. That is, \[(ab)^n=e, […]
• 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 […]
• Is the Determinant of a Matrix Additive? Let $A$ and $B$ be $n\times n$ matrices, where $n$ is an integer greater than $1$. Is it true that \[\det(A+B)=\det(A)+\det(B)?\] If so, then give a proof. If not, then give a counterexample.   Solution. We claim that the statement is false. As a counterexample, […]
• Extension Degree of Maximal Real Subfield of Cyclotomic Field Let $n$ be an integer greater than $2$ and let $\zeta=e^{2\pi i/n}$ be a primitive $n$-th root of unity. Determine the degree of the extension of $\Q(\zeta)$ over $\Q(\zeta+\zeta^{-1})$. The subfield $\Q(\zeta+\zeta^{-1})$ is called maximal real subfield.   Proof. […]
• Taking the Third Order Taylor Polynomial is a Linear Transformation The space $C^{\infty} (\mathbb{R})$ is the vector space of real functions which are infinitely differentiable. Let $T : C^{\infty} (\mathbb{R}) \rightarrow \mathrm{P}_3$ be the map which takes $f \in C^{\infty}(\mathbb{R})$ to its third order Taylor polynomial, specifically defined […]
• Determine the Number of Elements of Order 3 in a Non-Cyclic Group of Order 57 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 $3$.   Proof. Observe the prime factorization $57=3\cdot 19$. Let $n_{19}$ be the number of Sylow $19$-subgroups of $G$. By […]