Normal group contained in the center.

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SUMMARY

A normal subgroup N of order p (where p is prime) contained in a group G of order p^n is necessarily in the center of G. This conclusion is derived using the Orbit-Stabilizer Theorem, which indicates that the orbit sizes of elements in N must divide the order of G. The analysis shows that the orbit of the identity element is of size 1, leading to the conclusion that all elements of N commute with every element of G, thus confirming that N is in the center of G.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of group theory concepts, specifically normal subgroups.
  • Familiarity with the Orbit-Stabilizer Theorem.
  • Knowledge of group actions and their properties.
  • Basic understanding of group orders and cardinality.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the proof of the Orbit-Stabilizer Theorem in detail.
  • Explore the implications of normal subgroups in group theory.
  • Learn about the structure of groups of prime power order.
  • Investigate additional properties of the center of a group.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, particularly those studying abstract algebra, group theorists, and anyone interested in the properties of normal subgroups and group actions.

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I am doing exercises from Hungerford's text 'Algebra', and would appreciate if someone took the time to verify my write-up for me, and possibly provide me with tips how this could be done more efficiently (using less mathematical machinery)

Homework Statement



If a normal subgroup N of order p ( p prime) is contained in a group G of order [itex]p^n[/itex], then N is in the center of G.

Homework Equations


Orbit-Stabilizer Theorem: http://www.proofwiki.org/wiki/Orbit-Stabilizer_Theorem

The Attempt at a Solution


I construct the group action [itex]f: G \times H \rightarrow H[/itex] by this following rule: [itex]f((g,h)) = ghg^{-1}[/itex]. This is well-defined by normality of H of course.
By Orbit-Stabilizer Theorem I know that the size of orbit of any [itex]h \in H[/itex] must have cardinality dividing [itex]|G| = p^n[/itex]. So cardinality of orbits is 1 or p (since anything bigger
would imply more elements in an orbit than there are in H) and H is the disjoint union of orbits of it's elements, so all orbits cardinalities add up to p. But we see that the orbit of the identity in H must be of size 1 (itself), since for any [itex]g \in G[/itex] , [itex]geg^{-1} = e[/itex]. This means we have p-1 other elements in orbits, but orbit cardinalities have to divide p, so they are all of size 1.
This means that for any [itex]h \in H[/itex] and all [itex]g \in G[/itex] we have [itex]ghg^{-1} = h[/itex], so all elements of H are in the center of G.
 
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That's very nicely written. And the Orbit-Stabilizer Theorem is about the only piece of machinery you used. I can't think how you would do it more simply.
 

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