How to Prove Aut(H ⊕ K) ≅ Aut(H) ⊕ Aut(K)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the automorphism groups of the direct sum of two groups, specifically whether Aut(H ⊕ K) is isomorphic to Aut(H) ⊕ Aut(K). The scope includes theoretical aspects of group theory and references to existing literature.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references Wikipedia, stating that Aut(H ⊕ K) ≅ Aut(H) ⊕ Aut(K) when G splits as a direct sum of H and K.
  • Another participant challenges this claim, providing a counterexample involving Aut(ℤ_p^2) and Aut(ℤ_p) × Aut(ℤ_p), suggesting that the original statement is generally false.
  • A link to a Wikipedia article on abelian groups is provided, which contains relevant information.
  • A participant points out that the conditions for the isomorphism to hold include the groups being finite, abelian, and of coprime order, emphasizing the need for these conditions in the proof.
  • Steps for proving the isomorphism are suggested, including defining a homomorphism from Aut(H ⊕ K) to Aut(H) × Aut(K) and finding an inverse.
  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding an inverse and acknowledges potential issues with their use of hypotheses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views regarding the validity of the original claim and the conditions necessary for the isomorphism to hold.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions required for the isomorphism, particularly the conditions of finiteness, abelianness, and coprimality of the groups involved.

arthurhenry
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Wikipedia states:
when G splits as direct sum of H and K, then

Aut(H \oplus K) \cong Aut(H) \oplus Aut(K)

Could someone please help me prove this or perhaps give a reference.
Thank you
 
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Hi arthurhenry! :smile:

Where exactly did you see this, what was the context. In general this is false:

[tex]Aut(\mathbb{Z}_p^2)=GL_2(\mathbb{Z}_p)[/tex]

but

[tex]Aut(\mathbb{Z}_p)\times Aut(\mathbb{Z}_p)=\mathbb{Z}_{p-1}^2[/tex]
 
OK, next time, could you please state these things completely?? The wikipedia article says that [itex]Aut(H\times K)\cong Aut(H)\times Aut(K)[/itex] if the groups are finite, abelian and of coprime order! You need those conditions.

As for the proof, try to prove it in these steps

  • Given an automorphism [itex]f<img src="/styles/physicsforums/xenforo/smilies/arghh.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":H" title="Gah! :H" data-shortname=":H" />\times K\rightarrow H\times K[/itex], then f(H)=H and f(K)=K.
  • We have a homomorphism

    [tex]\Phi:Aut(H\times K)\rightarrow Aut(H)\times Aut(K):f\rightarrow (f\vert_H, f\vert_K)[/tex]
  • Find an inverse of the homomorphism.
 
I am sorry, I realized right after I sent the email; and thank you, now I will work on it.
 
This might be bad, but I have had problem finding an inverse. I am afraid I am not suing all of the hypothesis either.
 

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