Abstract Algebra Exam 2016 Midsem-204-Solutions
Abstract Algebra Exam 2016 Midsem-204-Solutions
Abstract Algebra Exam 2016 Midsem-204-Solutions
MTH-204, MTH-204A
ABSTRACT ALGEBRA
Fall-2016
Date: 18th September 2016
5. Prove that in a group of odd order a non identity element is not conjugate to its inverse. [5]
Ans: Suppose x 6= 1 is conjugate to x−1 . If x = x−1 , then x2 = 1. Hence |G| is divisible by 2. This is a
contradiction. Hence x 6= x−1 . Since |Cx | is odd, Cx contains an element y which is neither x nor x−1 .
Since x is conjugate to y, x−1 is conjugate to y −1 . Hence y −1 ∈ Cx . Since y 6= y −1 , we must conclude that
|Cx | is even. This is a contradiction.
6. Let S3 acts on the set A = {(i, j) : 1 ≤ i, j ≤ 3} by σ.(i, j) = (σ(i), σ(j)) for σ ∈ S3 and (i, j) ∈ A.
Compute the orbits and stabilizers of this action. [6]
Ans: O(1,1) = O(2,2) = O(3,3) = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)}.
If i 6= j the orbit O(i,j) = {(k, l) : 1 ≤ k, l ≤ 3 and k 6= l}.
The stabilizer of (1, 1) is the set {id, (23)} where id is the identity element in S3 .
The stabilizer of (2, 2) is the set {id, (13)}.
The stabilizer of (3, 3) is the set {id, (12)}.
If i 6= j then the stabilizer of (i, j) contains only the identity element.