Question on subgroup and order of the elements

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of the group of symmetries of a regular heptagon, specifically focusing on the cyclic subgroup generated by a rotation and the orders of its elements. Participants explore the implications of subgroup orders and the nature of subgroups in relation to the group structure.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants discuss the cyclic subgroup R generated by the rotation σ that takes vertex 1 to vertex 2, questioning whether R can be represented as ⟨(1 2 3 4 5 6 7)⟩.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the elements of R and their orders, with some participants calculating the order of (1 2 3 4 5 6 7) and suggesting it is 7.
  • Further calculations for (1 2 3 4 5 6 7)² and (1 2 3 4 5 6 7)³ are proposed, with participants expressing curiosity about their orders.
  • A question arises about the nature of any subgroup H of G that is not equal to G itself, with participants debating the implications of G's order and the possible orders of H.
  • Participants discuss the total order of G, suggesting it is 14, and question how this affects the determination of subgroups.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the representation of R and the order of certain elements, but there is ongoing uncertainty about subgroup properties and the implications of G's order on H. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of subgroups other than G itself.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in understanding the implications of subgroup orders and the calculations of element orders, as well as the definitions of cyclic groups in this context. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.

himynameJEF
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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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