Finding the subgroups of direct product group

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the subgroups of the group Z2 x Z2 x Z2, which is a direct product of three copies of the cyclic group of order 2. Participants are exploring the total number of subgroups and their respective orders.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to list the subgroups and are questioning the total count, with some stating they have found 15 subgroups while others assert there should be 16. There are discussions about subgroup orders and the characteristics of the group structure.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of subgroup counts and structures, with some participants suggesting methods for counting based on subgroup orders. The conversation reflects a mix of uncertainty and attempts to clarify notation and subgroup characteristics.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the notation used and the implications of group bijections. There is mention of specific subgroup orders (1, 2, 4, and 8) and the challenges in identifying all subgroups accurately.

TimeRip496
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Homework Statement


What are the subgroups of Z2 x Z2 x Z2?

Homework Equations


Hint: There are 16 subgroups.

The Attempt at a Solution


So far I only manage to get 15 and I am not even sure if these are correct.
My answer: $$(0,0,0) , (Z_2,Z_2,Z_2), (1,1,1), (0,0,1), (0,1,0), (1,0,0), (0,1,1), (1,0,1), (1,1,0), (0,Z_2,Z_2), (Z_2,0,Z_2),(Z_2,Z_2,0), (1,1,Z_2), (1,Z_2,1), (Z_2,1,1)$$

where <(Z2, Z2, Z2)> is not the same as <(1,1,1)>
$$<(Z_2,Z_2,Z_2)> = {(0,0,0),(1,1,1),(0,0,1),(0,1,0),(1,0,0),(0,1,1),(1,0,1),(1,1,0)}$$
$$<(1,1,1)>={(0,0,0),(1,1,1)}$$

Forgive me as I just started group theory and I am now using videos on visual group theory as a guide. The above question comes from here.
 
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TimeRip496 said:

Homework Statement


What are the subgroups of Z2 x Z2 x Z2?

Homework Equations


Hint: There are 16 subgroups.

The Attempt at a Solution


So far I only manage to get 15 and I am not even sure if these are correct.
My answer: $$(0,0,0) , (Z_2,Z_2,Z_2), (1,1,1), (0,0,1), (0,1,0), (1,0,0), (0,1,1), (1,0,1), (1,1,0), (0,Z_2,Z_2), (Z_2,0,Z_2),(Z_2,Z_2,0), (1,1,Z_2), (1,Z_2,1), (Z_2,1,1)$$

where <(Z2, Z2, Z2)> is not the same as <(1,1,1)>
$$<(Z_2,Z_2,Z_2)> = {(0,0,0),(1,1,1),(0,0,1),(0,1,0),(1,0,0),(0,1,1),(1,0,1),(1,1,0)}$$
$$<(1,1,1)>={(0,0,0),(1,1,1)}$$

Forgive me as I just started group theory and I am now using videos on visual group theory as a guide. The above question comes from here.

Your notation is not at all clear. Since the group has order 8 a subgroup will have order 1, 2, 4 or 8. Why don't you try and count them by order? Order 1 and 8 should be easy. Order 2 subgroups are pretty easy to describe. Order 4 takes a little more work (remember there are only two group structures of order 4 and since there are no elements of order 4 the subgroup must look like the Klein group {0, x, y, x+y}).
 
Your notation is a bit unusual, but this is mainly because we are trained to consider subgroups up to group bijections and your "diagonal" groups like ##(1,1,1)\, , \,(1,1,0)\, , \,(1,1,\mathbb{Z}_2)## as only images which are "the same" as ##\mathbb{Z}_2,\mathbb{Z}_2,\mathbb{Z}_2^2## and would prefer to denote the embeddings less short.

I couldn't find another group either and also got only 15 groups. So we've both missed the same subgroup or the number 16 is wrong. Why do you think it are 16?
 
fresh_42 said:
Your notation is a bit unusual, but this is mainly because we are trained to consider subgroups up to group bijections and your "diagonal" groups like ##(1,1,1)\, , \,(1,1,0)\, , \,(1,1,\mathbb{Z}_2)## as only images which are "the same" as ##\mathbb{Z}_2,\mathbb{Z}_2,\mathbb{Z}_2^2## and would prefer to denote the embeddings less short.

I couldn't find another group either and also got only 15 groups. So we've both missed the same subgroup or the number 16 is wrong. Why do you think it are 16?

I have one subgroup of order 1, one of order 8, seven of order 2 and seven of order 4. Totals to 16.
 
I have only six of order four. I can't see a symmetry broken with those, as it is the case with the all-3-diagonal at order two. But don't tell yet, I want to search for the lost candidate :smile:

Edit: Got it. To write down the four elements instead of the scheme used in the OP made the difference.
 
Last edited:
fresh_42 said:
I have only six of order four. I can't see a symmetry broken with those, as it is the case with the all-3-diagonal at order two. But don't tell yet, I want to search for the lost candidate :smile:

Edit: Got it. To write down the four elements instead of the scheme used in the OP made the difference.
Sorry for the scheme I used cause I just started group theory and I am following what I see from the video on Visual Group Theory above. Still I don't know what the last subgroup is so I am hoping you will enlighten me here. Thanks
 
TimeRip496 said:
Sorry for the scheme I used cause I just started group theory and I am following what I see from the video on Visual Group Theory above. Still I don't know what the last subgroup is so I am hoping you will enlighten me here. Thanks

I'm guessing it's {(0,0,0), (1,1,0), (1,0,1), (0,1,1)}.
 
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TimeRip496 said:
Sorry for the scheme I used cause I just started group theory and I am following what I see from the video on Visual Group Theory above. Still I don't know what the last subgroup is so I am hoping you will enlighten me here. Thanks
No need for a sorry. It works better than I thought. However, it also led to overlook the missing group (see @Dick's post above), because it isn't covered by the scheme. One way to get help on these kind of questions are the following tables I frequently use when in doubt:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_small_groups
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_kleiner_Gruppen

The second one is in the wrong language, but as a list of groups, this is a minor disadvantage. It lists the groups a bit differently, so I use both of them depending on the individual case and the mood I'm in.
 
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