An exercise with the third isomorphism theorem in group theory

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The discussion focuses on proving two statements related to the third isomorphism theorem in group theory. First, it establishes that a subgroup K is normal in G if and only if the quotient K/H is normal in G/H, given that H is a normal subgroup of G. Second, it demonstrates that if K/H is normal in G/H, then the quotient (G/H)/(K/H) is isomorphic to G/K. Participants express uncertainty about the proof techniques and the manipulation of elements within the groups, emphasizing the need for careful justification of each step. The conversation highlights the complexity of applying the isomorphism theorem and the importance of understanding normal subgroups in group theory.
Alex Langevub
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Homework Statement


Let ##G## be a group. Let ##H \triangleleft G## and ##K \leq G## such that ##H\subseteq K##.

a) Show that ##K\triangleleft G## iff ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##

b) Suppose that ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##. Show that ##(G/H)/(K/H) \simeq G/K##

Homework Equations


The three isomorphism theorems.

The Attempt at a Solution


a) Let ##k \in K##, ##h \in H## and ##g \in G##

##(gH)(kH)(gH)^{-1}## need to belong to ##kH##
I am not quite sure how to go about proving this.

b) Since ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##, we know that ##K\triangleleft G## as proven in a).

We can therefore apply the third isomorphism theorem which states that since ##H## and ##K## are both normal in ##G## and that ##H## is a subset of ##K##,
$$(G/H)/(K/H) \simeq (G/K)$$
 
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Alex Langevub said:

Homework Statement


Let ##G## be a group. Let ##H \triangleleft G## and ##K \leq G## such that ##H\subseteq K##.

a) Show that ##K\triangleleft G## iff ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##

b) Suppose that ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##. Show that ##(G/H)/(K/H) \simeq G/K##

Homework Equations


The three isomorphism theorems.

The Attempt at a Solution


a) Let ##k \in K##, ##h \in H## and ##g \in G##

##(gH)(kH)(gH)^{-1}## need to belong to ##kH##
I am not quite sure how to go about proving this.
You will have to use that ##K## is normal in ##G##, so ##h^{-1}kh=k'## and you can always write ##H=Hh^{-1}##. Proceed elementwise, just that you cannot assume the same ##h## as representative of ##H##. Every occurance has another ##h_i\,.## And don't forget the other direction!
b) Since ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##, we know that ##K\triangleleft G## as proven in a).

We can therefore apply the third isomorphism theorem which states that since ##H## and ##K## are both normal in ##G## and that ##H## is a subset of ##K##,
$$(G/H)/(K/H) \simeq (G/K)$$
I thought part b) is exactly the isomorphism theorem, which has to be shown, but if you have it already, then yes, your reasoning is correct.
 
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fresh_42 said:
You will have to use that ##K## is normal in ##G##, so ##h^{-1}kh=k'## and you can always write ##H=Hh^{-1}##. Proceed elementwise, just that you cannot assume the same ##h## as representative of ##H##. Every occurance has another ##h_i\,.## And don't forget the other direction!

I thought part b) is exactly the isomorphism theorem, which has to be shown, but if you have it already, then yes, your reasoning is correct.

I am still unsure how to go about resolving this problem. I haven't really seen any examples of problems with quotients like this one. So it's the possible manipulations that I am unsure about. Please tell me if this is alright.This problem is an iif so I need to demonstrate both directions ⇐) and ⇒).⇒)
If ##K\triangleleft G##, so we have that ##g_1^{-1}k_1g_1 \in K ##.

$$(g_1h_1)(k_2h_2)(g_1h_1)^{-1}$$
lets set ##k_2 = g_1^{-1}k_1g_1##
$$(g_1h_1g_1^{-1})k_1(g_1h_2h_1^{-1}g_1^{-1}) $$

I am not sure where to go from there. Or even if I am on the right track...
 
Let me see.

##(gh_1)(kh_2)(g^{-1}h_3)=gh_1kh_1^{-1}h_1h_2g^{-1}h_3=gk\,'h_1h_2g^{-1}h_3=gk\,'g^{-1}gh_1h_2g^{-1}h_3=k\,''gh_1h_2g^{-1}h_3 =kh_4h_3 \in KH## because both ##H## and ##K## are normal.

Now the other direction: ##K/H \trianglelefteq G/H \Longrightarrow K \trianglelefteq G\,.##
 
I assume you meant ##kh_4h_3 \in K/H## and not ##kh_4h_3 \in KH## at the end there.Now,
##\Leftarrow##

In an exam I would put a lot more effort into initializeg the different variables ##k_i##, ##g_i## and ##h_i## and justifying each step.

If ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##, we have that
##(gh_1)(k_1h_2)(g^{-1}h_3) = k'h'##
##gh_1k_1g^{-1}(gh_2g^{-1})h_3 = k'h'##
##g(h_1k_1)g^{-1}(h_4)h_3 = k'h'##
##g(k_2)g^{-1}h_5 = k'h'##
##\Rightarrow gk_2g^{-1} \in K##
##\Rightarrow K\triangleleft G##
 
Alex Langevub said:
I assume you meant ##kh_4h_3 \in K/H## and not ##kh_4h_3 \in KH## at the end there.
No. I meant what I wrote, except that I forgot to write ##k''## instead of ##k##. We still have elements: ##(gh_1)(kh_2)(g^{-1}h_3)=k''h_4h_3 \in KH## but from that passing to cosets yields ##[g][k][g]^{-1}=[k''] \in K/H## what we needed.
Now,
##\Leftarrow##

In an exam I would put a lot more effort into initializeg the different variables ##k_i##, ##g_i## and ##h_i## and justifying each step.

If ##K/H \triangleleft G/H##, we have that
Let me fit in some lines which helps me to sort stuff out. We have ##H \triangleleft G## and thus also ##H \triangleleft K##.
Now we have ##(gH)(k_1H)(g^{-1}H) \in K/H\,,## so
##(gh_1)(k_1h_2)(g^{-1}h_3) = k'h'##
##gh_1k_1g^{-1}(gh_2g^{-1})h_3 = k'h'##
##g(h_1k_1)g^{-1}(h_4)h_3 = k'h'##
##g(k_2)g^{-1}h_5 = k'h'##
##\Rightarrow gk_2g^{-1} \in K##
##\Rightarrow gk_2g^{-1} = k'h_6 \in KH \subseteq K##
##\Rightarrow K\triangleleft G##
O.k.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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