Commutator subgroup a subgroup of any Abelian quotient group?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the universal property of abelianization in group theory, specifically regarding the commutator subgroup [G,G] and its relationship with normal subgroups. It is established that if G is a group, H is a normal subgroup of G, and G/H is Abelian, then [G,G] is indeed a subgroup of H. This conclusion follows from the fact that any homomorphism from G to an Abelian group must factor through the abelianization G/[G,G]. The participants clarify the reasoning behind this property, emphasizing the implications of the canonical quotient maps.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of group theory concepts, particularly groups and subgroups.
  • Familiarity with the commutator subgroup [G,G] and its significance.
  • Knowledge of homomorphisms and quotient groups in algebra.
  • Basic grasp of the universal property of abelianization.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the commutator subgroup [G,G] in various group contexts.
  • Learn about the universal property of abelianization in more depth.
  • Explore the implications of normal subgroups and their relationship with quotient groups.
  • Investigate examples of homomorphisms that factor through abelianization.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students and researchers in abstract algebra, particularly those focusing on group theory, as well as educators seeking to clarify the concepts of abelianization and commutator subgroups.

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I am new to group theory, and read about a "universal property of abelianization" as follows: let G be a group and let's denote the abelianization of G as Gab (note, recall the abelianization of G is the quotient G/[G,G] where [G,G] denotes the commutator subgroup). Now, suppose we have a homomorphism p: G --> H with H being an Abelian group. Then this homomorphism has to factor through the Abelianization. (what I mean by factor through is there exists another map q such that q ° θ = p, where I'm letting θ denote the cannonical quotient map G --> G/[G,G])Ok, that property makes sense. The issue is, there are a couple proofs I'm reading that jump straight from using this property to the fact that then if we have G and H a normal subgroup of G and G/H Abelian, then this means [G,G] is a subgroup of H. I guess this doesn't surprise me, but at the same time I just don't see this quick connection. There is no elaboration of this "next step" in the proofs I'm reading so I assume this is a trivial corollary of the universal property mentioned, unfortunately I don't see it. Why does this fact obviously follow?This is what I do understand: I know I have my cannonical quotient map θ: G --> G/[G,G]. I also have another this other quotient map λ: G --> G/H with G/H is Abelian by assumption, so that means λ factors through G/[G,G], meaning (by the universal property) there is another map ρ: G/[G,G] --> G/H with ρ°θ=λ, so this is a map going from G --> G/[G,G] --> G/H. I guess my question might be, is it always the case that if I have a group G with subgroups A and B, and if I have a "Factoring through" like this G --> G/A --> G/B, does it means A must be a subgroup of B? Forgive this question if its unbearably obvious, I can't stress enough how poor my algebra skills are
 
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If a is in A, then when you map to G/A a maps to the identity, so when you push forward to G/B a gets mapped to the identity. Therefore a is in B for all a in A
 
oh man. i feel so dumb. But I thank you so much for pointing this out.
 

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