MHB Why Does Every Element in U(\mathbb{I}_m) Have an Inverse?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Proposition 1.52 from Joseph J. Rotman's "Advanced Modern Algebra," specifically regarding the group of integers modulo \( m \), denoted as \( \mathbb{I}_m \). Participants clarify that if \( \gcd(a, m) = 1 \), then the equation \( [a][x] = 1 \) can be solved for \( [x] \) in \( \mathbb{I}_m \). The proof involves finding integers \( x \) and \( y \) such that \( ax + my = 1 \), demonstrating that every element \( [r] \) in \( U(\mathbb{I}_m) \) has an inverse, confirming the closure under inverses in this group.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of group theory concepts, specifically groups and inverses.
  • Familiarity with modular arithmetic, particularly \( \mathbb{I}_m \) and its operations.
  • Knowledge of the Euclidean algorithm and the concept of greatest common divisors (gcd).
  • Basic proficiency in algebraic proofs and inductive reasoning.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of \( U(\mathbb{I}_m) \) and its structure as a group.
  • Learn about the Extended Euclidean Algorithm for finding integer solutions to equations of the form \( ax + by = c \).
  • Explore the implications of closure properties in group theory.
  • Investigate other propositions in Rotman's "Advanced Modern Algebra" for deeper insights into group theory.
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Mathematics students, particularly those studying abstract algebra, educators teaching group theory, and anyone interested in the properties of modular arithmetic and integer groups.

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I am reading Joseph J. Rotman's book, Advanced Modern Algebra and am currently focused on Chapter 1: Groups I.

I need some help with the proof of Proposition 1.52.

Proposition 1.52 reads as follows:View attachment 4520

I have several related questions that need clarification ...Question 1

In the above text Rotman writes the following:

" ... ... If $$(a,m) = 1$$, then $$[a][x] = 1$$ can be solved for $$[x]$$ in $$\mathbb{I}_m$$. ... ... "


Note: Rotman uses $$\mathbb{I}_m$$ for the group of integers mod $$ m $$ and uses $$(a,m)$$ for the gcd of $$a$$ and $$m$$ ...

Can someone explain to me exactly why the above statement by Rotman follows ...Question 2

In the above text Rotman writes the following:

" ... ... Now $$(x,m) = 1$$, for $$rx + sm = 1$$ for some integer $$s$$ and so $$(x,m) = 1$$ ... ... "

I cannot really make sense of this statement ... what exactly is Rotman trying to tell us?Question 3

In the above text Rotman writes the following:

" ... ... Hence $$[x] \in U ( \mathbb{I}_m )$$, and so each $$[r] \in U ( \mathbb{I}_m )$$ has an inverse in $$U ( \mathbb{I}_m )$$ ... ... "

Can someone please explain how this follows ...
Hope someone can help ...Peter
 
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Peter said:
I am reading Joseph J. Rotman's book, Advanced Modern Algebra and am currently focused on Chapter 1: Groups I.

I need some help with the proof of Proposition 1.52.

Proposition 1.52 reads as follows:

I have several related questions that need clarification ...Question 1

In the above text Rotman writes the following:

" ... ... If $$(a,m) = 1$$, then $$[a][x] = 1$$ can be solved for $$[x]$$ in $$\mathbb{I}_m$$. ... ... "


Note: Rotman uses $$\mathbb{I}_m$$ for the group of integers mod $$ m $$ and uses $$(a,m)$$ for the gcd of $$a$$ and $$m$$ ...

Can someone explain to me exactly why the above statement by Rotman follows ...Question 2

In the above text Rotman writes the following:

" ... ... Now $$(x,m) = 1$$, for $$rx + sm = 1$$ for some integer $$s$$ and so $$(x,m) = 1$$ ... ... "

I cannot really make sense of this statement ... what exactly is Rotman trying to tell us?Question 3

In the above text Rotman writes the following:

" ... ... Hence $$[x] \in U ( \mathbb{I}_m )$$, and so each $$[r] \in U ( \mathbb{I}_m )$$ has an inverse in $$U ( \mathbb{I}_m )$$ ... ... "

Can someone please explain how this follows ...
Hope someone can help ...Peter

To answer your first question: If $\gcd(a, m)=1$, then there exists integers $p$ and $q$ such that $ap+mq=1$. This is quite a standard theorem and is not so hard to prove using inductive reasoning.

Now solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding integers $x$ and $y$ such that $ax+my=1$.
 
caffeinemachine said:
To answer your first question: If $\gcd(a, m)=1$, then there exists integers $p$ and $q$ such that $ap+mq=1$. This is quite a standard theorem and is not so hard to prove using inductive reasoning.

Now solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding integers $x$ and $y$ such that $ax+my=1$.
Thanks for the help caffeinemachine ...

But ... ... can you clarify exactly why solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding integers $x$ and $y$ such that $ax+my=1$By the way ... hope someone can help with Questions 2 and 3 in my post above ...

Peter
 
Peter said:
Thanks for the help caffeinemachine ...

But ... ... can you clarify exactly why solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding integers $x$ and $y$ such that $ax+my=1$By the way ... hope someone can help with Questions 2 and 3 in my post above ...

Peter
Note that for any integer $y$, the symbol $[y]$ as an element of $I_m$ denotes the set of all the integers which leave the same remainder when divided by $m$ as $y$ does. An equivalent way of describing $[y]$ is the set of all integers $z$ such that $m$ divides $y-z$.

Now $I_m$ is nothing but $\{[y]: y\in \mathbf Z\}$. We define a product operation on $I_m$ by declaring $[a]=[ab]$. One needs to check that this is well--defined but this is easy.

Note that $[1]$ is the identity of this product, that is, $[a][1]=[a]$ for all $a$.

Most people prefer writing $1$ instead of $[1]$.

Now $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ means $[ax]=[1]$ in $I_m$, That means $m$ divides $ax-1$.

Can you finish?
 
caffeinemachine said:
Note that for any integer $y$, the symbol $[y]$ as an element of $I_m$ denotes the set of all the integers which leave the same remainder when divided by $m$ as $y$ does. An equivalent way of describing $[y]$ is the set of all integers $z$ such that $m$ divides $y-z$.

Now $I_m$ is nothing but $\{[y]: y\in \mathbf Z\}$. We define a product operation on $I_m$ by declaring $[a]=[ab]$. One needs to check that this is well--defined but this is easy.

Note that $[1]$ is the identity of this product, that is, $[a][1]=[a]$ for all $a$.

Most people prefer writing $1$ instead of $[1]$.

Now $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ means $[ax]=[1]$ in $I_m$, That means $m$ divides $ax-1$.

Can you finish?

Thanks caffeinemachine ...

I think the rest of the proof goes as follows:

$$m \mid ax - 1 \Longrightarrow \exists \ y' \text{ such that } ax - 1 = m y'$$

$$\Longrightarrow ax - my' = 1$$

Now take $$y = -y'$$ and we have $$ax + my = 1 $$

and since $$(a, m) = 1$$ we know this has a solution for $$x$$ ... ... and, indeed $$y$$.Is that correct?

Peter
 
Everything is fine. Except I do not understand what you mean by the following:
Peter said:
and since $$(a, m) = 1$$ we know this has a solution for $$x$$ ... ... and, indeed $$y$$.
What I would say is that solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding $x_0$ and $y_0$ such that $ax_0+by_0=1$. One such an ordered pair $(x_0, y_0)$ is found, the required solution is $[x_0]$.
 
caffeinemachine said:
Everything is fine. Except I do not understand what you mean by the following:

What I would say is that solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding $x_0$ and $y_0$ such that $ax_0+by_0=1$. One such an ordered pair $(x_0, y_0)$ is found, the required solution is $[x_0]$.
Thanks again ... most grateful for your help ...

Now I. Am hoping that someone will help with my questions 2 and 3 in my opening post ...

Peter

- - - Updated - - -

caffeinemachine said:
Everything is fine. Except I do not understand what you mean by the following:

What I would say is that solving $[a][x]=1$ in $I_m$ is equivalent to finding $x_0$ and $y_0$ such that $ax_0+by_0=1$. One such an ordered pair $(x_0, y_0)$ is found, the required solution is $[x_0]$.
Thanks again ... most grateful for your help ...

Now I. Am hoping that someone will help with my questions 2 and 3 in my opening post ...

Peter
 
There are some typos in the proof of the proposition. Reading through the argument, I suspect $a = r$. Also, in the statement "Now $(x,m) = 1$, for $rx + sm = 1$ for some integer $s$, so $(x,m) = 1$," remove the phrase "so $(x,m) = 1$". This should clear up Question 2. As for Question 3, he proved that every $[r] \in U(\Bbb I_m)$ has an inverse $[x]\in U(\Bbb I_m)$ (i.e., closure under inverses hold in $U(\Bbb I_m)$.
 

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