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Practice Writing Proofs. Math 113 Summer 2014

1) The document provides guidance on writing proofs for a math class. It cautions students to clearly define variables, focus on what is being proved, and make logical arguments. 2) Several practice proof problems are given involving subgroups, homomorphisms, cosets, and properties of direct products and cyclic groups. Students are meant to use the guidance to write clear, coherent proofs explaining the relationships and conclusions. 3) Practice writing proofs will help prepare students for an upcoming exam involving simple proofs in algebra and group theory.

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30 views

Practice Writing Proofs. Math 113 Summer 2014

1) The document provides guidance on writing proofs for a math class. It cautions students to clearly define variables, focus on what is being proved, and make logical arguments. 2) Several practice proof problems are given involving subgroups, homomorphisms, cosets, and properties of direct products and cyclic groups. Students are meant to use the guidance to write clear, coherent proofs explaining the relationships and conclusions. 3) Practice writing proofs will help prepare students for an upcoming exam involving simple proofs in algebra and group theory.

Uploaded by

Sri Pat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Practice Writing Proofs. Math 113 Summer 2014.

These problems are to help you get some practice writing simple proofs, especially in prepa-
ration for the first exam. The proofs should all be fairly short.
Cautions/Suggestions:

1. Do not assume what youre supposed to be proving.

2. Each time you use a new variable (g , H, etc.), make sure you first say clearly where it
lives. For example: Let g be an element of G or pick any subgroup H of G ...

3. Keep your attention focused on what you want to prove - this should direct your steps,
but always start from a) whats given, or b) a fact thats known from class.

4. The first and last lines are in some sense the most important, as they dictate the logical
flow of the proof - where you start from, and what youre proving.

5. Make sure your work is understandable, coherent and well-presented - if the grader has
to work to determine what/where your solution is, they will get grumpy and more prone
to giving lower grades.

Problems:

1. If H and K are subgroups of a group G , prove that H K is also a subgroup of G .

2. If f : G H is a homomorphism, prove that ker f is a normal subgroup of G .

3. A coset gH of a subgroup H of G is equal to H if and only if g H.

4. Prove that any group G whose order is a prime number p is cyclic.

5. Prove that the function f : Z/3Z S3 given by f (n) = (123)n is a) well-defined; b) a


homomorphism; and c) injective.

6. If G and H are groups, prove that G H


= H G.

7. Let p be a prime number. Prove that f : Z/pZ Z/pZ given by f (n) = np is the
identity map (you can assume that its well-defined).

8. If H is a normal subgroup of G , then any conjugate gHg 1 of H is also normal.

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