Is Z8 Isomorphic to Z4xZ2?

  • Thread starter Dahaka14
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In summary, two groups are isomorphic if there exists a bijective homomorphism between them, which means they have the same algebraic structure. Z8 and Z4xZ2 are not isomorphic because they have different element structures, even though they have the same number of elements. However, two groups with the same number of elements can be isomorphic if their structures are the same. Z8 can be isomorphic to other groups, such as the multiplicative group of integers modulo 8. The concept of isomorphism is not limited to groups, as it can be applied to other mathematical structures with the same algebraic structure.
  • #1
Dahaka14
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Homework Statement


Show that [tex]\mathbb{Z}_{8}[/tex] is not isomorphic to [tex]\mathbb{Z}_{4}\times\mathbb{Z}_{2}[/tex].


Homework Equations


[tex]\mathbb{Z}_{mn}\cong\mathbb{Z}_{m}\times\mathbb{Z}_{n}\iff \gcd(m,n)=1[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution


I would say that since [tex] \gcd(4,2)\neq1[/tex], they are not isomorphic.

There must be something that I am misunderstanding though since [tex]\mathbb{Z}_{4}[/tex] is not isomorphic [tex]\mathbb{Z}_{2}\times\mathbb{Z}_{2}[/tex]...
 
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  • #2
Wow...[tex]\gcd(2,2)=2[/tex]...awful. Sorry for wasting space.
 
  • #3
shows that Z8 has an element of order 8, and Z4 x Z2 does not.
 

Related to Is Z8 Isomorphic to Z4xZ2?

What does it mean for two groups to be isomorphic?

Two groups are isomorphic if there exists a bijective homomorphism (a function that preserves the group structure) between them. This means that the two groups have the same algebraic structure, although their elements and operations may be different.

Why is Z8 not isomorphic to Z4xZ2?

Z8 and Z4xZ2 have different orders, or number of elements. Z8 has 8 elements, while Z4xZ2 has 4x2=8 elements. However, their element structures are different. Z8 is cyclic, meaning it can be generated by a single element, while Z4xZ2 is not cyclic and cannot be generated by a single element. This difference in structure means that there is no bijective homomorphism between the two groups, and therefore they are not isomorphic.

Can two groups with the same number of elements be isomorphic?

Yes, two groups with the same number of elements can be isomorphic. However, the number of elements is not the only determining factor for isomorphism. The group structures must also be the same for the groups to be isomorphic.

Can Z8 be isomorphic to a different group?

Yes, Z8 can be isomorphic to a different group. For example, Z8 is isomorphic to the multiplicative group of integers modulo 8, denoted by (Z/8Z)*. This is because both groups have the same number of elements (8) and the same structure (they are both cyclic).

Is the concept of isomorphism limited to groups?

No, the concept of isomorphism can be applied to different mathematical structures, such as rings, fields, and graphs. In each case, the structures must have the same algebraic structure for them to be isomorphic.

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