How Can Z_{10}'s Multiplication Table Be Transformed into Z_n's Table?

[Combinatus]

Homework Statement

Create a multiplication table for the group of invertible elements in the ring Z_{10}. Can you rename the elements and arrange them so that the multiplication table is transformed into a multiplication table for the group Z_n for some n?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

If p \in Z_m, p has an inverse iff GCD(p,m)=1, so the invertible elements in Z_{10} are 1, 3, 7 and 9, and we end up with

\begin{bmatrix}<br /> 1 &amp; 3 &amp; 7 &amp; 9\\<br /> 3 &amp; 9 &amp; 1 &amp; 7\\<br /> 7 &amp; 1 &amp; 9 &amp; 3\\<br /> 9 &amp; 7 &amp; 3 &amp; 1\\<br /> \end{bmatrix}

as the suspiciously matrix-looking multiplication table in Z_{10}.

I don't know what the second sentence of the problem implies though. After attempting proof by asking IRC, I received the reply "Z/10Z =~ Z/2Z x Z/5Z -> (Z/10Z)* =~ (Z/2Z)* x (Z/5Z)* =~ Z/4Z", but I haven't seen any similar notation before. Where do I begin on this, or perhaps, what should I read to get a better understanding of similar problems?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Combinatus!

(nice LaTeX, btw! )

Create a multiplication table for the group of invertible elements in the ring Z_{10}. Can you rename the elements and arrange them so that the multiplication table is transformed into a multiplication table for the group Z_n for some n?

Well, it's a 4x4 matrix, so it obviously can only be the table for Z₅ …

so re-name 3 7 and 9 as some permutation of 2 3 and 4 so that the table works.

 

[Combinatus]

Thanks for your help! :)

Okay, so in Z_5 we get

\begin{bmatrix}<br /> 1 &amp; 2 &amp; 3 &amp; 4\\<br /> 2 &amp; 4 &amp; 1 &amp; 3\\<br /> 3 &amp; 1 &amp; 4 &amp; 2\\<br /> 4 &amp; 3 &amp; 2 &amp; 1\\<br /> \end{bmatrix}

The permutation that generates this table from the one of the inverses in Z_{10} (i.e. the one in my previous post) is thus 1 -> 1, 3 -> 2, 7 -> 3, 9 -> 4.

The key to the problem, however, says that "If the elements are arranged to 1, 3, 9, 7 and they are named 1 -> 0, 3 -> 1, 7 -> 3, 9 -> 2, you get the table for the group Z_4." Even if you include 0 in the multiplication table for the group Z_4, they don't look similar at all, so I'm not sure what they're on about.

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Combinatus!

hmm … some of Z₄ is right, but if 1 -> 0, then there should be 1s (for 0s) all along the top and left of the table (and there aren't)

the key is wrong … it must be Z₅

 

[jbunniii]

Hi Combinatus!

hmm … some of Z₄ is right, but if 1 -> 0, then there should be 1s (for 0s) all along the top and left of the table (and there aren't)

the key is wrong … it must be Z₅

The notation in the key is a bit vague, but what it is saying is that Z_{10}^* is isomorphic to Z_5^* (the MULTIPLICATIVE group of units of Z_5), which is isomorphic to Z_4 (the ADDITIVE group). This is indeed true.