How Many Subgroups of Order Three Does a Group Have?

[e(ho0n3]

[SOLVED] Subgroups of Order Three

Homework Statement
Let G be a subgroup containing exactly eight elements of order three. How many subgroups of order three does G have?

The attempt at a solution
This problem was discussed in class today. The professor said that G has four subgroups of order three. I didn't follow his explanation very well so I didn't understand why. Since there are eight elements of order three, wouldn't each of these elements constitute a subgroup of order three so G has at least eight subgroups of order three?

 

[DavidWhitbeck]

Suppose $$a \in G$$ is order 3 then $$a^2$$ is also order 3. They belong to the same subgroup. That means that only 4 of the 8 are generators, and the other 4 are their squares.

 

[e(ho0n3]

I see. I overlooked that fact. Thanks a lot.