Is G/N Abelian If N Contains All Commutators in a Group?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of abelian factor groups and the use of commutators in proving that a group is abelian. The goal is to show that the factor group G/N is abelian if and only if the normal subgroup N contains elements of the form aba^{-1}b^{-1}. The notation [a,b] is used to represent this type of element and the key is to show that [aN, bN] = 1 if and only if [a,b] is an element of N.
  • #1
betty2301
21
0
urgent another group theory problem sorry

Homework Statement


Let G be a group with normal subgroup N. Prove that G/N is an abelian group of and only of N contains elements [itex]aba^{-1}b^{-1}[/itex] for all a,b in G.


Homework Equations


commutator


The Attempt at a Solution


G/N i know it is the factor group...but abelian factor group is really new to me.
my knowdge in commutator is weak as my professor did not teach this.
help!1
 
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  • #2


An element of the form [itex]aba^{-1}b^{-1}[/itex] is called a commutator. The standard notation is [itex][a,b] = aba^{-1}b^{-1}[/itex].

Note that [itex]a[/itex] and [itex]b[/itex] commute iff [itex][a,b] = 1[/itex].

So you need to show that [itex][aN, bN] = 1[/itex] iff [itex][a,b] \in N[/itex]. There isn't much to it.
 

1. What is group theory?

Group theory is a branch of mathematics that studies the algebraic structures called groups. These groups are sets with a binary operation and certain properties that allow for the manipulation of elements within the set.

2. How is group theory used in science?

Group theory has a wide range of applications in various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, and computer science. It is used to study the symmetries of physical systems, model chemical reactions, and analyze data in computer algorithms.

3. What are the basic concepts in group theory?

The basic concepts in group theory include group operations, identity elements, inverses, and closure. These concepts are used to define and manipulate groups and their elements.

4. Can you give an example of a group in everyday life?

Yes, a deck of playing cards can be considered a group. The set of cards is closed under the operation of shuffling, has an identity element (the unshuffled deck), and has inverses (the reverse shuffle).

5. What is the importance of group theory in understanding the fundamental laws of nature?

Group theory is crucial in understanding the symmetries of physical systems, which are essential in describing the laws of nature. The principles of symmetry and group theory have been used to discover new particles and predict the behavior of complex systems.

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