Undergrad For groups, showing that a subset is closed under operation

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SUMMARY

To demonstrate that a subset of a group is a subgroup, it is essential to verify three conditions: the presence of the identity element, closure under the induced binary operation, and the existence of inverses for each element within the subset. Specifically, when proving closure, it is sufficient to show that for any elements a and b in the subset, the product ab is also in the subset. This proof inherently includes the case for ba due to the commutative nature of the operation in groups.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of group theory concepts, including identity elements and inverses.
  • Familiarity with binary operations and their properties.
  • Knowledge of subgroup criteria in abstract algebra.
  • Basic mathematical proof techniques, particularly direct proof methods.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of groups and subgroups in abstract algebra.
  • Learn about the different types of binary operations and their implications.
  • Explore examples of subgroup verification using specific groups, such as integers under addition.
  • Investigate the role of commutativity in group operations and its effects on subgroup closure.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, particularly those studying abstract algebra, educators teaching group theory, and researchers exploring algebraic structures.

Mr Davis 97
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To show that a subset of a group is a subgroup, we show that there is the identity element, that the subset is closed under the induced binary operation, and that each element of the subset has an inverse in the subset.

My question is regarding showing closure. To show that the subset is closed under the operation, if we assume that ##a## and ##b## are elements of the subset , do we have to show that ##ab## is still in he subset or that ##ba## is also in the subset?
 
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Mr Davis 97 said:
To show that a subset of a group is a subgroup, we show that there is the identity element, that the subset is closed under the induced binary operation, and that each element of the subset has an inverse in the subset.

My question is regarding showing closure. To show that the subset is closed under the operation, if we assume that ##a## and ##b## are elements of the subset , do we have to show that ##ab## is still in he subset or that ##ba## is also in the subset?
If you show that ##ab## is in the subset for all possible combinations ##(a,b)##, does this include ##(b,a)\,##?
 
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