Proving Every Element in G is a Square Using Factor Groups

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving that every element in an Abelian group G is a square, given that every element of its subgroup H and the quotient group G/H are squares. The participants clarify that since G is Abelian, the operations in H mirror those in G, allowing for the conclusion that elements in H are squares. The challenge lies in utilizing the properties of G/H to demonstrate that any element a in G can be expressed as a square, specifically by finding an element b such that b² = a.

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  • Understanding of Abelian groups and their properties
  • Familiarity with subgroup and quotient group concepts
  • Knowledge of group operations and their implications
  • Basic proficiency in mathematical proofs and notation
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  • Learn about subgroup and quotient group relationships in group theory
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Homework Statement


Suppose that G is an Abelian group and H is a subgroup of G. If every element of H is a square and every element of G/H is a square , prove that every element of G is a square.


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The Attempt at a Solution


Let a and b be elements of G. The ab=ba since G is an abeleian group. If H is a subgroup of G, then doesn't H share the same opperations with G? If so, since every element of in H is a square, then a^2*b^2 =(aa)(bb)=(bb)(aa) since G is abelian, H should be abelian. Therefore , there is an element in G that is a square
 
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If H is a subgroup of G, then indeed the operation on H is the same as that from G. And since G is abelian, so is H. Indeed, there is an element of G that is a square (in fact, any element from G that is in H is a square).
But the question was to prove that every element of G is a square.

You didn't use the information about G/H yet. So let a be any element of G. Now you will want to prove that there exists some element b (or you could very suggestively name it [itex]\sqrt{a}[/itex] such that b b = a. How can you do this?
 

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