Which three elements are in the proper subgroup H?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Benzoate
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Primes
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on identifying three elements that belong to a proper subgroup H of integers under addition, specifically from the set {p, p+q, pq, p^q, q^p}, where p and q are distinct primes. The correct answer, as confirmed by the textbook, is option e: {p, pq, p^q}. The reasoning highlights that including p+q would violate the definition of a proper subgroup, as it would imply the inclusion of all integers due to the additive properties of primes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of group theory, specifically subgroups under addition
  • Knowledge of prime numbers and their properties
  • Familiarity with the concept of proper subsets
  • Basic comprehension of integer operations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of subgroups in group theory
  • Explore the implications of distinct primes in additive groups
  • Learn about proper subsets and their characteristics
  • Investigate examples of integer groups and their subgroup structures
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, particularly those studying abstract algebra, group theory, and number theory, will benefit from this discussion.

Benzoate
Messages
420
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Let p and q be distinct primes. Suppose that H is proper subset of the integers nd H is grou under addition that contains exactly three elements of the set {p,p+q,pq, p^q, q^p}. Determine which of the following are the three elements in H:
a) pq, p^q, q^p
b)p+q, pq,q^p
c) p, p+q,pq
d) p, p^q,q^p
e)p,pq, p^q


Homework Equations



no equations for this problem

The Attempt at a Solution


The back of my textbook says the answer is e, but I thought it would be c . I don't understand why the answer is e because if a group is under addition, the additive properties of the group should be p+q . the properties for a group under multiplication would be p*q.
a:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
p*q ia p added to itself q times. So obviously if p is in a subgroup of the integers with addition, then so is p*q.

It can't be c. If it were c, then it would contain co-prime integers, hence all integers, but you are told it is a *proper* subgroup.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
9K