Interpreting the Problem Statement

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The discussion revolves around interpreting a homework problem related to group theory, specifically concerning normal subgroups and conjugacy classes. Participants express confusion about the definitions and relationships between the conjugacy class ##\mathcal{K}##, the subgroup ##H##, and the element ##x##. Clarifications are sought regarding whether ##\mathcal{K}## refers to conjugacy classes formed by the action of ##H## or ##G##, and the nature of the set ##\{gHg^{-1}\}##. The need for precise definitions and the implications of the normal subgroup property are emphasized, reflecting a struggle to grasp the problem's requirements. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of understanding group actions and conjugacy in the context of normal subgroups.
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Homework Statement



Assume that ##H## is a normal subgroup of ##G##, ##\mathcal{K}## is a conjugacy class of ##G## contained in ##H##, and ##x \in \mathcal{K}##. Prove that ##\mathcal{K}## is a union of ##k## conjugacy classes of equal size in ##H##, where ##k = |G : HC_G(x)|##

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The Attempt at a Solution



Okay. I need a little help interpreting this problem. Is the problem asking me to show that ##\mathcal{K} = \bigcup_{i \in I } \mathcal{H}_i## with ##|I| = k##, where the ##\mathcal{H}_i## are the conjugacy classes formed by letting ##H## act on itself by conjugation, or are the ##\mathcal{H}_i## the conjugacy classes formed by letting ##G## act on itself by conjugation that are contained in ##H##?
 
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Can you write this in the original language, which ever it is? Is ##\mathcal{K}## the set of all ##gHg^{-1}## or what is meant here, i.e. conjugates of what? And what is a class, i.e. if it is obviously different from a subset, how can it be included in ##H##? And last but not least, what is ##x##? And which kind of grammar is prove that is? No subject anywhere near.

Do they mean ##xHx^{-1} \subseteq H \,##?
 
fresh_42 said:
Can you write this in the original language, which ever it is? Is ##\mathcal{K}## the set of all ##gHg^{-1}## or what is meant here, i.e. conjugates of what? And what is a class, i.e. if it is obviously different from a subset, how can it be included in ##H##? And last but not least, what is ##x##? And which kind of grammar is prove that is? No subject anywhere near.

Do they mean ##xHx^{-1} \subseteq H \,##?

Sorry. It should read "Prove that ##\mathcal{K}##..." I just edited it. Besides that, I typed up the problem word for word.
 
This is strange, sorry.
Bashyboy said:
##\mathcal{K}## is a conjugacy class of ##G## ...
This lacks a specification. Conjugacy class of what? Of ##\{e\}##, of ##G##, or of ##H##, or of something else. Conjugacy class of ##G## would be ##gGg^{-1}=G## which makes no sense.
The guess would be ##H##, but this is not self-evident.
... contained in ##H##, and ##x \in \mathcal{K}##.
Then ##x## is a set of the form ##g_xHg_x^{-1}## and ##x=g_xHg_x^{-1} \subseteq H## which means ##g_x \in N_G(H)## the normalizer of ##H##. Is there a reason not to say this right away? So the claim is ##|N_G(H)| = |G : HC_G(g_x)|##, is that correct?

Edit: My bad, this doesn't make sense either as ##N_G(H)=G##. So sorry, I obviously don't understand the question.
 
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Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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