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equivalence
Oct18-09, 01:08 PM
Hi

I have a problem I just can't seem to solve, even though the solution shouldn't be too hard

Let G be a finite abelian group and let p be a prime.
Suppose that any non-trivial element g in G has order p. Show that the order of G must be p^n for some positive integer n.

Anyone got any ideas about how to approach this??

thanks,

matticus
Oct18-09, 02:09 PM
Suppose there is another prime q that divides the order of the group and show there must be an element of order q.

equivalence
Oct18-09, 02:15 PM
but is it the case that for all factors of the order of a group there is an element of that order?? i am soo confused..

mathmadx
Oct18-09, 05:15 PM
You know Lagranges theorem..? Consider the subgroup generated by g,- what's his order?. Well, if you like carefully at what " generates" means, youll see that the order of the subgroup generated by g is also p.