Abstract Algebra/Group Theory/Normal subgroups and Quotient groups

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Template:TOC right In the preliminary chapter we discussed equivalence classes on sets. If the reader has not yet mastered this notion, he/she is advised to do so before starting this section.

Normal Subgroups

Recall the definition of kernel in the previous section. We will exhibit an interesting feature it possesses. Namely, let ak,kkerϕG be in the coset akerϕ. Then there exists a kkerϕ such that ka=ak for all aG. This is easy to see because a coset of the kernel includes all elements in G that are mapped to a particular element. The kernel inspires us to look for what are called normal subgroups.

Definition 1: A subgroup NG is called normal if gNg1=N for all gG. We may sometimes write NG to emphasize that N is normal in G.

Theorem 2: A subgroup NG is normal if and only if gN=Ng for all gG.

Proof: By the definition, a subgroup is normal if and only if gNg1=N since conjugation is a bijection. The theorem follows by multiplying on the right by g. Template:Unicode

We stated that the kernel is a normal subgroup in the introduction, so we had better well prove it!

Theorem 3: Let ϕ:GG be any homomorphism. Then kerϕG is normal.

Proof: Let kkerϕ and gG. Then ϕ(gkg1)=ϕ(g)eϕ(g)1=e, so gkg1kerϕ, proving the theorem. Template:Unicode

Theorem 4: Let G,G be groups and ϕ:GG a group homomorphism. Then if H is a normal subgroup of imϕ, then ϕ1(H) is normal in G.

Proof: Let gG and hϕ1(H). Then ϕ(ghg1)=ϕ(g)ϕ(h)ϕ(g)1H since H is normal in imϕ, and so ghg1ϕ1(H), proving the theorem. Template:Unicode

Theorem 5: Let G,G be groups and ϕ:GG a group homomorphism. Then if H is a normal subgroup of G, ϕ(H) is normal in imϕ.

Proof: Let gimϕ And hH. Then if gG such that ϕ(g)=g, we have gϕ(h)g1=ϕ(g)ϕ(h)ϕ(g)1=ϕ(ghg1)=ϕ(h)ϕ(H) for some hH since H is normal. Thus gϕ(H)g1=ϕ(H) for all gimϕ and so H is normal in imϕ. Template:Unicode

Corollary 6: Let G,G be groups and ϕ:GG a surjective group homomorphism. Then if H is a normal subgroup of G, ϕ(H) is normal in G.

Proof: Replace imϕ with G in the proof of Theorem 5. Template:Unicode

Remark 7: If H is a normal subgroup of G and K is a normal subgroup of H, it does not necessarily imply that K is a normal subgroup of G. The reader is invited to display a counterexample of this.

Theorem 8: Let G be a group and H,K be subgroups. Then

i) If H is normal, then HK=KH is a subgroup of G.
ii) If both H and K are normal, then HK=KH is a normal subgroup of G.
iii) If H and K are normal, then HK is a normal subgroup of G.

Proof: i) Let H be normal. First, since for each kK, there exists h,hH such that kh=hk, so KH=HK. To show HK is a subgroup, let hk,hkHK. Then hk(hk)1=hkk1h1=hhkk1HK for some hH since H is normal, and so HK is a subgroup.

ii) Let gG and hkHK. Then since both H and K are normal, there exists hH,kK such that ghkg1=ghg1k=gg1hk=hkHK. It follows that gHKg1=HK and so HK is normal.

iii) Let gG and hHK. Then ghg1H since H is normal, and similarly ghg1K. Thus ghg1HK and it follows that HK is normal. Template:Unicode

Examples of Normal Subgroups

In the following, let G be any group. Then G has associated with it the following normal subgroups.

i) The center of G, denoted Z(G), is the subgroup of elements which commute with all others. Z(G)={zG(gG)zg=gz}. That Z(G) is a normal subgroup is easy to verify and is left to the reader.
ii) The commutator subgroup of G, denoted G(1) or [G,G], is the subgroup generated by the subset {[g,h]g,hG} where [g,h]=g1h1gh for all g,hG. For sG, we introduce the shorthand sgs1=gs. Then we have s[g,h]s1=[gs,hs], such that for any product of commutators [g1,h1][g2,h2]...[gn,hn] where all elements are in G, we have s[g1,h1][g2,h2]...[gn,hn]s1=[g1s,h1s][g2s,h2s]...[gns,hns], and so G(1) is normal.

Remark 9: We can iterate the commutator subgroup construction and define G(0)=G and G(n)=[G(n1),G(n1)] for all n. We will not use the commutator subgroup in future results in this book, so for us it is merely a curiosity.

Equivalence Relations on Groups

Why are normal subgroups important? In the preliminary chapter we discussed equivalence relations and the associated set of equivalence classes. If G is a group and is an equivalence relation, when does G/ admit a group structure? Of course we have to specify the multiplication on G/. We will do so now.

Definition 10: Let G be a group and is an equivalence relation on G, we define multiplication on the equivalence classes in G/ such that for all a,bG,

[a][b]=[ab]

This is indeed the only natural way to do it. Take the two equivalence classes, choose representatives, compute their product and take its equivalence class. The alert reader will have only one thing on his/her mind: is this well defined? For a general equivalence relation, the answer is no. The reader is invited to come up with an example. What is more interesting is when is it well defined? By the definition above, we obviously need the projection map π:GG/ defined by a[a] to be a homomorphism. We can in fact condense the requirements down to two, both having to do with cancellation laws.

Theorem 11: Let G be a group and an equivalence relation on G. Then G/ is a group under the natural multiplication if and only if for all a,b,gG

abagbggagb.

Proof: Assume G/ is a group. Since ab[a]=[b], the property follows from the cancellation laws in G. Assume now that the property holds. Then its multiplication rule is well defined, and must verify that G/ is a group. Let a,b,cG, then associativity is inherited from G:

([a][b])[c]=[ab][c]=[(ab)c]=[a(bc)]=[a][bc]=[a]([b][c]).

The identity in G/ is the equivalence class of eG, [e]:

[e][a]=[ea]=[a]=[ae]=[a][e].

Finally, the inverse of [a] is [a1]:

[g][g1]=[gg1]=[e]=[g1g]=[g1][g].

So G/ really defines a group structure, proving the theorem. Template:Unicode

We will call an equivalence relation compatible with G if G/ is a group. Then, G/ is called the quotient group of G by . Also, as an immediate consequence, this makes π:GG/ into a homomorphism, but not just any homomorphism! It satisfies a universal property!

Commutative diagram showing the universal property satisfied by the projection homomorphism.

Theorem 12: Let be en equivalence relation compatible with G, and ϕ:GH a group homomorphism such that abϕ(a)=ϕ(b). Then there exists a unique homomorphism ϕ~:G/H such that ϕ=ϕ~π.

Proof: In the preliminary chapter on set theory, we showed the corresponding statement for sets, so we know that ϕ~ exists as a function between sets. We have to show that it is a homomorphism. This follows immediately: since ϕ~([a])=ϕ(a) by commutativity, we have ϕ~([a])ϕ~([b])=ϕ(a)ϕ(b)=ϕ(ab)=ϕ~([ab])=ϕ~([a][b]). As stated already, ϕ~([a])=ϕ(a) shows uniqueness, proving the theorem. Template:Unicode

Lemma 13: Let be an equivalence relation on a group G such that abgagb. Then H=[e] is a subgroup of G and aba1bHaH=bH.

Proof: First off, H is nonempty since eH. Let a,bH. Then beeb1 by multiplying on the left by b1. Then since ea we have a1e by the same argument. Applying transitivity gives a1b1. Finally, multiplying on the left by a gives eab1, giving ab1H and so H=[e] is a subgroup.

Assume ab for a,bG. Then [a]=[b] implying [a1b]=[e]. Thus a1b[e]. Now assume a1b[e]. Then [a1b]=[e] and so [a]=[b] and finally ab.

Assume a1bH. Then since H is a subgroup, we have a1bH=H and so aH=bH. Finally, assume aH=bH. Then a1bH=H. Since in particular eH, this implies a1bH, completing the proof. Template:Unicode

The mirror version using right cosets and the equivalence relation abagbg and abab1HHa=Hb is completely analogous. Stating the theorem and writing out the proof is left to the reader as an exercise.

We have showed how an equivalence relation defines a subgroup of G. In fact the equivalence classes are all cosets of this subgroup. We will now go the other way, and show how a subgroup defines an equivalence relation on G.

Lemma 14: Let H be a subgroup of a group G. Then,

i) aLba1bHaH=bH is an equivalence relation such that aLbgaLgb for all gG.
ii) aRbab1HHa=Hb is an equivalence relation such that aRbagRbg for all gG.

Proof: We will prove i). The proof for ii) is similar and is left as an exercise for the reader.

The fact that is an equivalence relation and that a1bHaH=bH was proven in the section on subgroups. Assume aLb. Then for all gG, (ga)1(gb)=a1g1gb=a1bH such that gaLgb. Now assume gaLgb, Then a1b=a1g1gb=(ga)1(gb)H such that aLb, completing the proof. Template:Unicode

Theorem 15: For every equivalence relation L on G such that aLbgaLgb, there exists a unique subgroup H of G such that G/ are precisely the left cosets of H.

Proof: This follows from Lemma 13 and Lemma 14.

Again, the mirror statement is completely analogous. Stating the theorem is left to the reader as an exercise.

Quotients with respect to Normal Subgroups

Lemma 16: Let L be the equivalence relation given by aLb:aH=bH, where H is a subgroup of G. Then we know that L is compatible if and only if H is a normal subgroup.

Proof: Assume L is compatible, gG and aH. Then aLe, and compatibility gives us gag1Lgg1=e, and so gag1H. Since a is arbitrary, we obtain gHg1=H for all gG and so H is normal. Assume now that H is normal. Then aH=bHa1bH, Ha=Hbab1H and aH=Ha for all a,bG. Using this, we obtain aLbab1=ab1bg(bg)1Leab1bg=agLbg and similarly for the right hand case, so L is compatible with G. Template:Unicode

Definition 17: When an equivalence relation is given by specifying a normal subgroup H, the quotient group with respect to this equivalence relation is denoted G/H. We then refer to G/H as the quotient of G with respect to H, or G modulo H. Note that this complies with previous definitions of this notation.

Multiplication in G/H is given as before as (aH)(bH)=(ab)H, with identity H and (aH)1=a1H for all a,bG.

Definition 18: Let H be a normal subgroup of G. Then we define the projection homomorphism π:GG/H by π(a)=aH for all aG.

Theorem 19: A subgroup is normal if and only if it is the kernel of some homomorphism.

Proof: We have already covered the left implication. For the right implication, assume H is normal. Then G/H is a group and we have the projection homomorphism π:GG/H as defined above. Since for all hH we have π(h)=hH=H, kerπ=H and so H is the kernel of a homomorphism. Template:Unicode

Theorem 20: Let G,G be groups, ϕ:GG a homomorphism and H a normal subgroup of G such that Hkerϕ. Then there exists a unique homomorphism ϕ~:G/HG such that ϕ~π=ϕ.

Proof: This follows from Theorem 12 by letting abaH=bH. Template:Unicode

The Isomorphism Theorems

Commutative diagram showing the first isomorphism theorem. ϕ~ is an isomorphism.

Theorem 21 (First Isomorphism Theorem): Let G,G be groups and ϕ:GG a homomorphism. Then G/kerϕimϕ.

Proof: From Theorem 20 we have that there exists a unique homomorphism ϕ~:G/kerϕG such that ϕ=ϕ~π. We have to show that ϕ~ is an isomorphism when we corestrict to imϕ. This is immediate, since ϕ(a)=ϕ(b)akerϕ=bkerϕ by Lemma 13, so that ϕ~ is injective, and for any gimϕ there is a gG such that ϕ(g)=ϕ~(gkerϕ)=g so that it is surjective and therefore an isomorphism. Template:Unicode

Lemma 22: Let G be a group, H a subgroup and K a normal subgroup of G. Then HK is a normal subgroup of H.

Proof: Let hH and kHK. Then hkh1H since h,kH and H is a subgroup and hkh1K since kK, hG and K is normal in G. Thus hkh1HK and HK is normal in H. Template:Unicode

Theorem 23 (Second Isomorphism Theorem): Let G be a group, H a subgroup and K a normal subgroup of G. Then HK/KHHK.

Proof: Define ϕ:HHK/K by ϕ(h)=hK for all hH. ϕ is surjective since any element in HK can be written as hk with hH and kK, so ϕ(h)=π(hk)=hkK=hK. We also have that kerϕ={hHhK=K}={hHhK}=HK and so HK/KHHK by the first isomorphism theorem. Template:Unicode

Lemma 24: Let G be a group, and let H,K be normal subgroups of G such that KHG. Then H/K is a normal subgroup of G/K.

Proof: Let hH and gG. Then ghg1=h for some hH since H is normal. Thus (gK)(hK)(gK)1=(ghg1)K=hK, showing that H/K is normal in G/K. Template:Unicode

Theorem 25 (Third Isomorphism Theorem) Let G be a group, and let H,K be normal subgroups of G such that KHG. Then G/KH/KG/H.

Proof: Let ϕ:G/KG/H be given by ϕ(gK)=gH. This is well defined and surjective since KH, and is a homomorphism. Its kernel is given by kerϕ={gKG/KgH=H}={gKG/KgH}=H/K, so by the first isomorphism theorem, G/KH/KG/H. Template:Unicode

Theorem 26 (The Correspondence Theorem): Let G be a group and K be a normal subgroup. Now let A={HGKH} and B={HHG/K}. Then π:Hπ(H) is an order-preserving bijection from A to B.

Proof: We must show injectivity and surjectivity. For injectivity, note that if KH, then π1(π(H))=HK=H, so if H1,H2A such that π(H1)=π(H2), then H1=π1(π(H1))=π1(π(H2))=H2, proving injectivity. For surjectivity, let HB. Then Kπ1(H)G, so that π1(H)A, and π(π1(H))=H, proving surjectivity. Lastly, since H1H2 implies that π(H1)π(H2), the bijection is order-preserving. Template:Unicode

Note 27: The correspondence Theorem is sometimes called The Forth Isomorphism Theorem.

Theorem 28: Let HA from Theorem 26. Then H is normal if and only if π(H) is normal in G/K, and then G/HG/Kπ(H).

Proof: Since π is surjective, H normal implies π(H) normal. Assume that π(H) is normal. Then π1(π(H))=H and so H is normal since it is the preimage of a normal subgroup. To show the isomorphism, let ϕ:GG/Kπ(H) be given by a composition of projections: ϕ:ππ(H)πK. Then kerϕ={gGϕ(g)=π(H)}={gGπ(g)π(H)}=π1(π(H))=H, so by the first isomorphism teorem, G/HG/Kπ(H). Template:Unicode

Corollary 29: Let G be a group and H a normal subgroup. Then for any KG/H there exists a unique subgroup KG such that HKG and K=KH. Also, K is normal in G if and only if K is normal in G/H.

Proof: From Theorem 26 we have that the projection Kπ(K)=K is a bijection, and since π(g)=gH for all gG, we have K=KH. The second part follows from Theorem 28. Template:Unicode

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Proof:

Due to theorem 2.6.?, HI and KI are subgroups of G. Further, theorem 2.6.? implies that KIHI. Therefore, the function

Φ:HHI/KI,Φ(h):=hKI

is a homomorphism.

Further, since K is a subgroup of H, for all h=κιKI,κK,ιI we have:

hHκ1h=ιH

And thus:

hkerΦh=κι,κK,ιIh=κι,κK,ιHIhK(HI)

Therefore, kerΦ=K(HI). Thus, the first isomorphism theorem implies

HI/KIH/(K(HI))

Simple Groups

Definition 30: A group is called simple if it has no non-trivial proper normal subgroups.

Example 31: Every cyclic group p, where p is prime, is simple.

Definition 32: Let G be a group and H a normal subgroup. H is called a maximal normal subgroup if for any normal subgroup K of G, we have KH.

Theorem 33: Let G be a group and H a normal subgroup. Then H is a maximal normal subgroup if and only if the quotient G/H is simple.

Proof: By Theorem 26 and Theorem 28, G/H has a nontrivial normal subgroup if and only if there exists a proper normal subgroup K of G such that HKG. That is, H is not maximal if and only if G/H is not simple. The theorem follows. Template:Unicode

Problems

Problem 1: Recall the unitary and special unitary groups from the section about subgroups. Define the projective unitary group of order n as the group PU(n)=U(n)/Z(U(n)). Similarly, define the projective special unitary group of order n as PSU(n)=SU(n)/Z(SU(n)).

i) Show that Z(SU(n))=SU(n)Z(U(n)n
ii) Using the second isomorphism theorem, show that PSU(n)PU(n).

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