Isomorphisms involving Product groups

In summary, the conversation discusses the task of showing that the group G, which is isomorphic to the product of another group H and the group of integers modulo 2, contains an element of order 2 that commutes with all elements in G. This property is then used to deduce that the dihedral group of order 2n+1 is not isomorphic to the product of another group H and the cyclic group of order 2. The conversation also mentions the use of Lagrange's theorem and cyclic subgroups in the solution.
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CAF123
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EDIT: To moderators, I frequent this forum and the Calculus forum and I have accidently put this in Introductory Physics. Can it be moved? Sorry for inconveniences.

Homework Statement


1)If ##G \cong H \times \mathbb{Z}_2, ## show that G contains an element a of order 2 with the property that ag = ga for all ##g \in G##. Deduce (briefly!) that the dihedral group ##D_{2n+1}## (with n ##\geq 1##) is not isomorphic to a product ##H \times C_2##.

Homework Equations



Lagrange, cyclic subgroups,

The Attempt at a Solution


The isomorphism implies a bijective homomorphism of the form ##\phi: G \rightarrow H \times \mathbb{Z}_2## with ##g \mapsto (h,z),## g in G, h in H and z in {0,1}.
This means |G| = 2|H| and so the order of G must be even, |G| = 2k, for k in naturals. The order of elements of G (or the order of any subgroups) must divide the order of the group by Lagrangeand hence all elements in G have even order. Elements are of order ##g^{2\alpha}, \alpha \in \mathbb{N}## and each creates a cyclic subgroup. (Right?) So the possible orders of alpha are 2,4,6..2α. So G does have an element of order 2. Since the subgroup generated by this element is prime, necessarily it is cyclic which in turns implies the group is abelian. This subgroup is a subset of G, so the commutavity is 'maintanied' through the group and so ag=ga.

Suppose there was an isomorphism between ##D_{2n+1}## and ##H \times C_2##. This means |H| = 2n+1, n nonnegative. So the order of H is odd and the order of ##C_2## is even and so the orders are coprime. I can't see right now how to obtain a contradiction.

Many thanks.
 
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Does anybody have any ideas?
 

1. What is an isomorphism involving product groups?

An isomorphism involving product groups is a bijective homomorphism between two product groups that preserves the group structure. This means that the operation between elements in the first product group is the same as the operation between corresponding elements in the second product group.

2. How do you prove that two product groups are isomorphic?

To prove that two product groups are isomorphic, you must show that there exists a bijective homomorphism between the two groups. This can be done by defining a function between the two groups and showing that it is both one-to-one and onto, as well as preserving the group structure.

3. Can two non-abelian product groups be isomorphic?

Yes, two non-abelian product groups can be isomorphic. This is because the isomorphism only requires that the group structure is preserved, not that the groups are commutative.

4. What is the significance of isomorphisms involving product groups?

Isomorphisms involving product groups are significant because they allow us to understand the relationship between different groups with similar structures. They also provide a way to simplify complex groups and make them more manageable to study.

5. Are all product groups isomorphic to each other?

No, not all product groups are isomorphic to each other. Isomorphisms involve a specific mapping between two groups, so unless that mapping exists, the groups will not be isomorphic. Additionally, even if two groups have the same structure, they may not be isomorphic if the elements do not behave the same way under the group operation.

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