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Counterexamples in Algebra by Nakkiran

This document provides counterexamples related to concepts in introductory algebra, including: 1) Isomorphism of factors does not imply isomorphism of quotient groups. 2) Isomorphism of quotient groups does not imply isomorphism of factors. 3) A group can be isomorphic to a proper quotient of itself.

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Abu Talha
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40 views1 page

Counterexamples in Algebra by Nakkiran

This document provides counterexamples related to concepts in introductory algebra, including: 1) Isomorphism of factors does not imply isomorphism of quotient groups. 2) Isomorphism of quotient groups does not imply isomorphism of factors. 3) A group can be isomorphic to a proper quotient of itself.

Uploaded by

Abu Talha
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Counterexamples in (Introductory) Algebra

Preetum Nakkiran

Isomorphism of factors does not imply isomorphism of quotient groups


ie: H ∼
= K 6 =⇒ G/H ∼ = G/K
Let G = Z4 × Z2 , with H =< (2̄, 0̄) > and K = (0̄, 1̄).
Then H ∼=K∼ = Z2 but G/K ∼= Z4 ∼ 6 Z2 × Z2 ∼
= = G/H
Isomorphism of quotient groups does not imply isomorphism of factors
ie: G/H ∼= G/K 6 =⇒ H ∼ =K
(D&F 3.3.8): For prime p, let G be the group of p-power roots of unity. And φ : G → G be the surjective
homomorphism z 7→ z p . Then G/kerφ ∼ = G.
So let K = kerφ and H be trivial. Then G/K ∼ =G∼ = G/H, but H ∼ 6 K (because kerφ is non-trivial).
=
A group can be isomorphic to a proper quotient of itself
Same example as above.
The image of an ideal may not be an ideal
ie: I ideal 6 =⇒ φ(I) ideal for homomorphism φ
Let φ : Z → Z[x] by inclusion. Then 2Z is ideal in Z, but not in Z[x] (2x 6∈ 2Z).

An infinite group in which every element has finite order but for each positive integer n there
is
Q an element of order n
n∈N Zn

A group such that every finite group is isomorphic to some subgroup


1) The direct product of all finite groups, or 2) The group of all bijections N → N (then applying
Cayley’s Theorem)
A nontrivial group G s.t. G ∼ =G×G
G = Z2 × Z2 × · · · , with isomorphism (g1 , g2 , g3 , . . .) 7→ ((g1 , g3 , g5 , . . .), (g2 , g4 , g6 , . . .))
A group of order n may not have a subgroup of order k for all k|n
The alternating group A4 has order 12, but no element of order 6 (all elements have order 1, 2, or 3).

Direct product of Hamiltonian Groups1 may not be Hamiltonian


In Q8 × Q8 , the subgroup < (i, j) > is not normal because < (i, j) >= {(1, 1), (i, j), (−1, −1), (−i, −j)}
but (j, 1)(i, j)(j, 1)−1 = (−i, j) 6∈< (i, j) >
Subgroups of finitely-generated groups may not be finitely generated
The commutator subgroup of the free group on two elements F ({x, y}) cannot be finitely generated
(proof omitted).

1 non-abelian group where every subgroup is normal

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