41 Solutions
41 Solutions
41 Solutions
1. Let G act on the set A. Prove that if a, b ∈ A and b = g · a for some g ∈ G, then
Gb = gGa g −1 (Ga is the stabilizer of a). Deduce that if G acts transitively on A
then the kernel of the action is ∩g∈G gGa g −1 .
Solution. If x ∈ Gb then we write x = g · (g −1 xg) · g −1 and note that (g −1 xg)a =
g −1 x(ga) = g −1 xb = g −1 (xb) = g −1 b = a we’ll have x ∈ gGa g −1 , so Gb ⊆
gGa g −1 (∗). If x ∈ gGa g −1 then x = gyg −1 for some y ∈ Ga , from this we
have xb = gyg −1 b = gy(g −1 b) = gya = g(ya) = ga = b therefore x ∈ Gb , so
gGa g −1 ⊆ Gb (∗∗). From (∗) and (∗∗) we have Gb = gGa g −1 . Second part of the
problem is trivial because the kernel of the act is equal to ∩a∈A Ga .
4. Let S3 act on the set Ω of ordered pairs: {(i, j)|1 ≤ i, j ≤ 3} by δ((i, j)) =
(δ(i), δ(j)). Find the orbits of S3 on Ω. For each δ ∈ S3 find the cycle decomposi-
tion of δ under this action (i.e., find its cycle decomposition when δ is considered
as an element of S9 - first fix a labelling of these nine ordered pairs). For each orbit
O of S3 acting on these nine points pick some a ∈ O and find the stabilizer of a in
S3 .
Solution. It is easy to see that the orbits of S3 on Ω are {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)} and
{(1, 2), (2, 1), (1, 3), (3, 1), (2, 3), (3, 2)}. The third part of the problem is easy, for
the second part, we labelling as following (1, 1) = 1, (1, 2) = 2, (1, 3) = 3, (2, 3) =
4, (2, 2) = 5, (2, 1) = 6, (3, 1) = 7, (3, 2) = 8 and (3, 3) = 9, it is easy, too.
5. For each parts (a) and (b) repeat the preceding exercise but with S3 action
on the specified set:
(a)The set of 27 triples {(i, j, k)|1 ≤ i, j, k ≤ 3}
(b)The set P({1, 2, 3}) − {∅} of all 7 nonempty subsets of {1, 2, 3}.
Date: 11.11.2008.
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2 NGUYỄN TRUNG TUÂN
6. Let R be the set of all polynomials with integer coefficients in the indepen-
dent variables x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 and S4 act on R by permuting the indices of the four
variables:
σ · p(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) = p(xσ(1) , xσ(2) , xσ(3) , xσ(4) )
for all σ ∈ S4 and p ∈ R.
a)Find the polynomials in the orbit of S4 on R containing x1 + x2 ;
b)Find the polynomials in the orbit of S4 on R containing x1 x2 + x3 x4 ;
c)Find the polynomials in the orbit of S4 on R containing (x1 + x2 )(x3 + x4 ).
Solution. Solved on the class!
9. Assume G acts transitively on the finite set A and let H be a normal sub-
group of G. Let O1 , O2 , · · · , Or be the distinct orbits of H on A.
a)Prove that G permutes the sets Oi . Prove that G is transitive on {Oi }. Deduce
that all orbits of H on A have the same cardinality;
b)Prove that if a ∈ O1 then |O1 | = |H : H ∩ Ga | and r = |G : HGa |.
Solution.
a)Routine!
b)Use the Second Isomorphim Theorem and note that Ga ∩ H = Ha .
10. Let H and K be subgroups of the group G. For each x ∈ G define the HK
double coset of x in G to be the set
HxK = {hxk|h ∈ H, k ∈ K}.
a)Prove that HxK is the union of the left cosets xi K, where {xi K} is the orbit
containing xK of H acting by left multiplication on the set of left cosets of K;
b)Prove that HxK is the union of right cosets of H;
c)Prove that HxK and HyK are either the same set or are disjoint for all x, y ∈ G.
Show that the set of HK double cosets partitions G;
d)Prove that |HxK| = |K| · |H : H ∩ xKx−1 |;
e)Prove that |HxK| = |H| · |K : K ∩ x−1 Hx|.
Solution. Routine again!
P.S. These problems are from ”Dummit and Foote, Abstract Algebra” but solutions
are of mine.
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