Is a Subgroup of a Normal Subgroup Always Normal?

In summary: So to answer the question: If N is normal in G, is its normal quotient (factor) group G/N normal as well?In summary, if N is normal in G, then its normal quotient group G/N is also normal. This can be proved by considering the cosets of N in G and using the first isomorphism theorem. However, if we have a subgroup H of G/N with the form H/N, it does not necessarily mean that H is normal in G/N. A counterexample can be found in the dihedral group of order 8.
  • #1
Bachelier
376
0
If N is normal in G, is its normal quotient (factor) group G/N normal as well?

And does it imply that any subgroup of G/N which has a form H/N is normal as well?

Is a subgroup of a normal subgrp normal as well. It appears that not always.

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Bachelier said:
If N is normal in G, is its normal quotient (factor) group G/N normal as well?

G/N normal in what?? In order to be normal you need two groups: N normal in G. So G/N should be normal in what.

And does it imply that any subgroup of G/N which has a form H/N is normal as well?

Let [itex]N\subseteq H[/itex] with N normal. We have that H is normal in G if and only if H/N is normal in G/N. This is an easy exercise.

Is a subgroup of a normal subgrp normal as well. It appears that not always.

No. A normal subgroup of a normal subgroup is called subnormal. Such a group is not always normal. Can you find a counterexample?? (the dihedral group of order 8 should prove interesting)
 
  • #3
micromass said:
G/N normal in what?? In order to be normal you need two groups: N normal in G. So G/N should be normal in what.

G/N is normal in G. It just seems hard to prove.
if N is normal in G. for all g in G, gng-1 is in N.
now if H is in G/N then H = aN for some a in g and not in N. now g(an)g-1 is in H only if it is abelian. what then?
 
  • #4
Bachelier said:
G/N is normal in G. It just seems hard to prove.

G/N normal in G?? That makes no sense at all. G/N isn't even a subset of G...
 
  • #5
micromass said:
G/N normal in G?? That makes no sense at all. G/N isn't even a subset of G...

isn't G/N the union of left cosets of N?
 
  • #6
I'm probably understanding this incorrectly but wolfram says:

For a group G and a normal subgroup N of G , the quotient group of N in G, written G/N and read " G modulo N ", is the set of cosets of N in G.

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/QuotientGroup.html
 
  • #7
Again: The elements of the quotient group G/N are subsets of G

http://people.brandeis.edu/~igusa/Math30/quotient.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #8
Bachelier said:
isn't G/N the union of left cosets of N?

No, it's the set of left cosets of N. Not the union.

Elements of G/N are subsets of G (not elements of G). So G/N can't be a subset of G.
 
  • #9
Bachelier said:
Again: The elements of the quotient group G/N are subsets of G

http://people.brandeis.edu/~igusa/Math30/quotient.pdf

Yes. That doesn't mean that G/N is a subset of G.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
So we know G/N is a group, but then it isn't a subgroup of anything.


How do you imagine G/N like in space (as a group)?
 
  • #11
so I guess every time I think of quotient groups I need to do so in terms of mappings
 
  • #12
micromass said:
G/N normal in what?? In order to be normal you need two groups: N normal in G. So G/N should be normal in what.

in G/N



micromass said:
Let [itex]N\subseteq H[/itex] with N normal. We have that H is normal in G if and only if H/N is normal in G/N. This is an easy exercise..

consider:

f: G ---> G/N​

g---> gN​


f is onto homomorphism.

now image of Hunder this map is H/N

I don't know if I can use the 3rd isomorphism thm b/c N is not given to us to be normal. But at least, H/N the image of H is normal because f(aha-1) is in the image(H) and since homomorphism then f(a)*f(h)*f(a)-1 in H/N.
 
Last edited:
  • #13
please let me know if this is correct.

Thanks a lot, without you I wouldn't have figured this out.
 
  • #14
micromass said:
No. A normal subgroup of a normal subgroup is called subnormal. Such a group is not always normal. Can you find a counterexample?? (the dihedral group of order 8 should prove interesting)

let a, b in D4 s.t. |b|=2 and |a|= 4

then K= {e, a2, b, a2b} is a normal subgroup in D4

but H = {e, b} is a subgroup in K however not normal.
 
  • #15
Bachelier said:
let a, b in D4 s.t. |b|=2 and |a|= 4

then K= {e, a2, b, a2b} is a normal subgroup in D4

but H = {e, b} is a subgroup in K however not normal.

more importantly, H is normal in K (since K is abelian, every subgroup of it is normal in it), and not normal in G.

normality isn't "transitive".

there are two (equivalent) ways of thinking of a factor group (quotient group):

1) as a homomorphic image of the original group.
2) as a group induced by partitioning by a normal subgroup.

way number 2 is what involves cosets, which are the equivalence classes under the partition. we require normality of the subgroup, so that we can multiply cosets:

NaNb = Nab for all a,b in G iff xN = Nx for all x in G.

if we try to form G/H with H some non-normal subgroup, the sets Hab and HaHb aren't the same for at least one pair (a,b) in GxG. the set of cosets can still be formed, we just don't get a group out of it. try this with D3 or D4 and some non-normal subgroup.

the equivalence of 1 and 2 is what the first isomorphism theorem is all about.
 
  • #16
thanks all ...
 

Related to Is a Subgroup of a Normal Subgroup Always Normal?

1. What is a normal subgroup?

A normal subgroup is a subgroup of a group that is invariant under conjugation by elements of the original group. In other words, a normal subgroup is a subgroup that remains unchanged when multiplied on the left or right by any element of the larger group.

2. What is a subgroup of a normal subgroup?

A subgroup of a normal subgroup is a subgroup that is contained within a normal subgroup. In other words, it is a subset of the normal subgroup that also satisfies the definition of a normal subgroup.

3. Is a subgroup of a normal subgroup always normal?

Yes, a subgroup of a normal subgroup is always normal. This is because a subgroup of a normal subgroup is a subset of a group that is invariant under conjugation by elements of the original group, making it a normal subgroup itself.

4. What is the difference between a normal subgroup and a subgroup?

The main difference between a normal subgroup and a subgroup is that a normal subgroup is invariant under conjugation by elements of the larger group, while a subgroup may not be. Additionally, every normal subgroup is a subgroup, but not every subgroup is a normal subgroup.

5. Why is the concept of normal subgroups important in group theory?

The concept of normal subgroups is important in group theory because it allows for the simplification of group structures. By identifying normal subgroups, we can break down a complex group into smaller, simpler groups and study them individually. Additionally, normal subgroups play a crucial role in the study of quotient groups, which are important in various areas of mathematics.

Similar threads

  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
1
Views
800
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
1
Views
806
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Math POTW for University Students
Replies
1
Views
159
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
1
Views
960
Replies
1
Views
706
Back
Top