Is a Subgroup of a Normal Subgroup Always Normal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of normal subgroups and their relation to quotient groups, specifically whether a subgroup of a normal subgroup is also normal. Participants explore the implications of normality in group theory, including the conditions under which certain groups remain normal.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the quotient group G/N is normal in any group, noting that normality requires two groups and seeking clarification on the context of normality for G/N.
  • Others assert that G/N is indeed normal in G, although they find the proof challenging.
  • A participant mentions that a normal subgroup of a normal subgroup is termed subnormal, suggesting that such a subgroup is not necessarily normal.
  • Counterexamples are proposed, specifically referencing the dihedral group of order 8, where a subgroup is shown to be normal in its normal subgroup but not in the larger group.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of quotient groups, with participants clarifying that elements of G/N are subsets of G and not elements of G itself.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of homomorphisms and the third isomorphism theorem in relation to normality and quotient groups.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the normality of G/N and the implications of subnormal subgroups. There is no consensus on whether a subgroup of a normal subgroup is always normal, with multiple competing views and examples presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for careful consideration of definitions and conditions related to normality and quotient groups, as well as the implications of subgroup structures in group theory.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and practitioners of group theory, particularly those exploring the properties of normal and subnormal subgroups and their implications in mathematical contexts.

Bachelier
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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
 
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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 N\subseteq H 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)
 
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?
 
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...
 
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?
 
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
 
Again: The elements of the quotient group G/N are subsets of G

http://people.brandeis.edu/~igusa/Math30/quotient.pdf
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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  • #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 N\subseteq H 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.
 
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  • #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 ...
 

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