Prove G is Cyclic: Prime p Order Group

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that a group G of prime order p is cyclic. Participants are exploring the implications of the group's order and the nature of its subgroups.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the significance of G's order being prime and the limited possible subgroups. They consider the subgroup generated by a non-identity element and question how to confirm that this subgroup equals G.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested using Lagrange's theorem to inform their reasoning. There is an acknowledgment that the existence of only two subgroups leads to a conclusion about the cyclic nature of G, though not all details have been fully articulated.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the constraints of proving the statement without providing a complete solution, focusing on the implications of subgroup structure in groups of prime order.

catherinenanc
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1. Let p be a prime and G a group whose order is p. Prove that G is cyclic.



2. I know that if p is prime, then the only possible subgroups of G are {e} and G itself. But, how to use this fact to show that G is cyclic?
 
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Pick an element g of G that is not e and consider the subgroup generated by g.
 
Last edited:
Dick said:
Pick an element g of G that is not e and consider the subgroup generated by g.

Ok, this may sound stupid, but, how do I know that <g>=G?
 
catherinenanc said:
Ok, this may sound stupid, but, how do I know that <g>=G?

Oh, wait, there are only two subgroups,so it has to be.

Thanks!
 

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