Question on subgroup and order of the elements

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The discussion revolves around the group of symmetries of a regular heptagon, denoted as G, which is a subgroup of the symmetric group S7. The cyclic subgroup R generated by the rotation σ that maps vertex 1 to vertex 2 is confirmed to be R := ⟨(1 2 3 4 5 6 7)⟩. The order of the elements in R is established as 7, as both (1 2 3 4 5 6 7) and its powers maintain this order. Additionally, it is clarified that any subgroup H of G, other than G itself, must be cyclic and can only be the trivial subgroup {e} due to the prime nature of the group order.

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Let G be the group of symmetries (including flips) of the regular heptagon (7-gon).

View attachment 8446

As usual, we regard the elements of G as permutations of the set of vertex labels; thus, G ≤ S7.

(a) Let σ denote the rotation of the 7-gon that takes the vertex 1 to the vertex 2. Write down the cyclic subgroup R := ⟨σ⟩ as a set of elements of S7 in cycle notation.

(b) What are the orders of each of the elements of R?

does this mean R := ⟨( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )⟩?
and I am unsure how to answer part b)

thanks
 

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himynameJEF said:
Let G be the group of symmetries (including flips) of the regular heptagon (7-gon).
As usual, we regard the elements of G as permutations of the set of vertex labels; thus, G ≤ S7.

(a) Let σ denote the rotation of the 7-gon that takes the vertex 1 to the vertex 2. Write down the cyclic subgroup R := ⟨σ⟩ as a set of elements of S7 in cycle notation.

(b) What are the orders of each of the elements of R?

does this mean R := ⟨( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )⟩?
and I am unsure how to answer part b)

thanks

Hi himynameJEF, welcome to MHB! ;)

Yes, that is correct for what $R$ stands for.
Which elements exactly are in $R$ though?
That is, what is for instance ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )2?

As for (b), let's start with the order of ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ).
What is it?
 
I like Serena said:
Hi himynameJEF, welcome to MHB! ;)

Yes, that is correct for what $R$ stands for.
Which elements exactly are in $R$ though?
That is, what is for instance ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )2?

As for (b), let's start with the order of ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ).
What is it?

hi! :)

( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )2 would be ( 1 3 5 7 2 4 6 )?

and that would be an order of 7?

thanks!
 
himynameJEF said:
hi! :)

( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )2 would be ( 1 3 5 7 2 4 6 )?

and that would be an order of 7?

thanks!

Yep. (Nod)

So now we have 2 elements in $R$ that both have order 7.
How about ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )3? (Wondering)
 
I like Serena said:
Yep. (Nod)

So now we have 2 elements in $R$ that both have order 7.
How about ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 )3? (Wondering)

thanks i understand it now! :)

also another question

Let H be any subgroup of G other than G itself. explain why H is cyclic?

since G is prime then |H| is 1 or 7. then H must equal G and it would be cyclic but the question says any other subgroup other than G so H must be {e}? is this cyclic? I am confused
 
himynameJEF said:
thanks i understand it now! :)

also another question

Let H be any subgroup of G other than G itself. explain why H is cyclic?

since G is prime then |H| is 1 or 7. then H must equal G and it would be cyclic but the question says any other subgroup other than G so H must be {e}? is this cyclic? I am confused

Isn't the order of G 14?
That is, aren't there 14 symmetries with rotations and flips?
 
I like Serena said:
Isn't the order of G 14?
That is, aren't there 14 symmetries with rotations and flips?

oh! yes sorry your right
so how would i explain this? and then determine the number of subgroups?

thanks!
 
himynameJEF said:
oh! yes sorry your right
so how would i explain this? and then determine the number of subgroups?

thanks!

Since H is a subgroup of G, it means that we must have |H|=1, |H|=2, |H|=7, or |H|=14, mustn't we?
Which are the subgroups that correspond to those?
 

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