21 Subgroups

1b

Question

Show the subset is a Subgroup of the given Group:
The set of complex number of absolute value 1, namely the unit circle in the complex plane (under multiplication).

Proof

To show C={z∈C||z|=1} is a subgroup under multiplication, we must show closed under the operation, and closure under inverses.

  1. Let a,b∈C. Then a=a1+ia2 and b=b1+ib2 where a12+a22=1 and b12+b22=1. Then notice:
ab=(a1+ia2)(b1+ib2)=(a1b1−a2b2)+i(a2b1+a1b2)

To show that ab∈C notice that:

|ab|=(a1b1−a2b2)2+(a2b1+a1b2)2=a12b12+a22b22−2a1b1a2b2+a22b12+a12b22+2a1b1a2b2=(a12+a22)(b12+b22)=1⋅1=1

Thus ab∈C.

  1. Let a∈C be as described in (1). I claim that a―=a1−ia2 is the inverse in this case. Notice that this is normally the case for C, just without the magnitude scaling factor since |z|=1:
aa―=(a1+ia2)(a1−ia2)=a12+a22=1

which is the identity. To show closure, notice that:

|a―|=a12+(−a2)2=a12+a22=1

Thus a―∈C.

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2d

Question

Show that the specified subset is not a Subgroup of the given group:
The set of (positive and negative) odd integers in Z, together with 0.

Proof

Denote the subset Z={2n+1|n∈Z}∪{0} with the usual operation of addition. Namely, we have the inverse (additive inverses of odd integers are odd) so we are missing closure. Namely, the counter example 1,3∈Z while 1+3=4∉Z shows that +|Z isn't closed, so (Z,+|Z) is not a valid subgroup.

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4

Question

Give an explicit example of a group G and an infinite subset H of G that is closed under the group operation but is not a Subgroup of G.

Proof

Let the binary group operation be addition +. Let G=R. Let H=R+ so then H⊆R. Notice that H is infinite and (G,+) is a group, but (H,+) is not a subgroup, as H is missing the identity element, namely 0∉H. However, the operation +|H is closed as any positive real plus a positive real must be positive itself.

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8

Question

Let H and K be subgroups of G. Prove that H∪K is a subgroup iff H⊆K or K⊆H.

Proof

(⇒): Suppose H∪K is a subgroup. If H⊆K already then we are done so suppose instead H⊈K instead. Let k∈K be arbitrary, so we can show that k∈H and thus K⊆H.

Since k∈K then k∈H∪K. Now notice that since H⊈K then ∃k′∈H where k′∉K. Now clearly k′∈H∪K, so since H∪K is a subgroup then k′k∈H∪K.

Now if k′k∈H then we are done since k′∈H so then k∈H (if instead k∉H that would contradict H being a subgroup). So consider the case where k′k∉H. Then k′k∈K. But notice if this was the case then since k∈K and K is a subgroup then k−1∈K. Since K is a subgroup then k′k(k−1)=k′∈K, which is a contradicion. Thus then k′k∈H is the only case, and thus k∈H is always going to happen.

Thus K⊆H as desired.

(⇐): Suppose either H⊆K or K⊆H is true. Suppose, WLOG, that H⊆K (the other version is proved reflexively). To show H∪K is a subgroup, we just want to show that the operation on the set is closed and each element has its inverse in the set.

For the former, let h,h′∈H∪K. We have 4 cases:

For the latter, let h∈H∪K. We have two cases:

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9

Question

Let G=GLn(F) where F is any field (see Matrix Groups). Define:

SLn(F)={A∈GLn(F)|det(A)=1}

(called the special linear group). Prove that SLn(F)≤GLn(F).

Proof

First, for showing closure under matrix multiplication, let A,B∈SLn(F). Then det(A)=det(B)=1. Consider AB. Notice that:

det(AB)=det(A)det(B)=1⋅1=1

Thus since A,B are n×n and result in an n×n matrix, then AB∈SLn(F), showing closure.

For showing the inverse exists, A−1 always exists for A∈SLn(F) since det(A)=1≠0. Furthermore, A−1 must be n×n as inverse square matrices are the same dimension. Thus A−1∈SLn(F).

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10

Question

a. Prove that if H and K are Subgroup of G then so is their intersection H∩K.
b. Prove that the intersection of an arbitrary nonempty collection of subgroups of G is again a subgroup of G (you cannot assume the collection is countable).

Proof

a. Let H,K≤G. Consider H∩K.

First, for closure of the operation on H∩K, let a,b∈H∩K. Then a,b∈H;a,b∈K. Now because H,K are subgroups then ab∈H and ab∈K. Thus ab∈H∩K, showing closure.

Second, for the existence of the inverse in H∩K, let a∈H∩K. Then a∈H and a∈K. Since both H,K are subgroups, then a−1∈H and a−1∈K. Thus a−1∈H∩K as desired.

b. Let A={Gλ|λ∈Λ} be a collection of groups (so Gλ is a group for each λ∈Λ).

Consider the set G′=⋂λ∈ΛGλ. To show G′ is a subgroup, still G′⊆G so we just show the same two properties.

First, for closure of the operation on G′, let a,b∈G′. Then a,b∈Gλ for all λ∈Λ. Since Gλ is a group, then ab∈Gλ. Notice then that since λ∈Λ was arbitrary, then ab∈⋂λ∈ΛGλ, so then ab∈G′. Thus G′ is closed under the operation.

Second, let a∈G′. Then a∈Gλ for all λ∈Λ. Now since Gλ is a group then a−1∈Gλ. Now because λ is arbitrary, then a−1∈⋂λ∈ΛGλ, so then a−1∈G′, showing closure of the inverse.

Thus G′ is a subgroup of G.

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15

Question

Let H1≤H2≤… be an ascending chain of Subgroups of G. Prove that ⋃i=1∞Hi is a subgroup of G.

Proof

Denote H=⋃i=1∞Hi. To show it's a subgroup of G, we follow by the conditions for being a subgroup.

First, let h,k∈H be arbitrary. Then ∃Hnh,Hnk where nh,nk∈N and h∈Hnh and k∈Hnk. Now if nh=nk=n then h,k∈Hn, so then by Hn being a subgroup of G then hk∈Hn and thus hk∈H (this is the trivial case). If nh≠nk then one of these is larger. WLOG say nh>nk. Then notice that Hnk≤Hnh by our ascending chain:

Hnk≤Hnk+1≤⋯≤Hnh⇒Hnk≤Hnh

As a result, then since k∈Hnk≤Hnh then by extension then k∈Hnh. Additionally h∈Hnh so then by closure of our binary operation for Hnh by being a subgroup, then hk∈Hnh. Thus then hk∈H by definition.

No matter what, we always get hk∈H, thus showing closure of the operation on H.

Second, let h∈H be arbitrary. Then ∃Hnh just like before, where nh∈N. Now notice that since Hnh is itself a subgroup then h−1∈Hnh. Thus then h−1∈H by definition, showing closure of the inverses.

Therefore, H is a subgroup of G.

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