The Order of $ab$ and $ba$ in a Group are the Same

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• 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 […]
• Group of Order $pq$ Has a Normal Sylow Subgroup and Solvable Let $p, q$ be prime numbers such that $p>q$. If a group $G$ has order $pq$, then show the followings. (a) The group $G$ has a normal Sylow $p$-subgroup. (b) The group $G$ is solvable.   Definition/Hint For (a), apply Sylow's theorem. To review Sylow's theorem, […]
• 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 […]
• 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 […]
• Non-Abelian Group of Order $pq$ and its Sylow Subgroups Let $G$ be a non-abelian group of order $pq$, where $p, q$ are prime numbers satisfying $q \equiv 1 \pmod p$. Prove that a $q$-Sylow subgroup of $G$ is normal and the number of $p$-Sylow subgroups are $q$.   Hint. Use Sylow's theorem. To review Sylow's theorem, check […]
• Non-Abelian Simple Group is Equal to its Commutator Subgroup Let $G$ be a non-abelian simple group. Let $D(G)=[G,G]$ be the commutator subgroup of $G$. Show that $G=D(G)$.   Definitions/Hint. We first recall relevant definitions. A group is called simple if its normal subgroups are either the trivial subgroup or the group […]
• If the Order of a Group is Even, then the Number of Elements of Order 2 is Odd Prove that if $G$ is a finite group of even order, then the number of elements of $G$ of order $2$ is odd.   Proof. First observe that for $g\in G$, \[g^2=e \iff g=g^{-1},\] where $e$ is the identity element of $G$. Thus, the identity element $e$ and the […]
• 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 […]