Overview Normal subgroups

Definition
Previously, we learned that for any subgroup H of a group G ,
A subgroup H of G is a normal subgroup of G if xH = Hx for all x ∈ G . We denote
the left cosets of H partition G ; this as H � G , or H � G .
the right cosets of H partition G ;
these partitions need not be the same.
Observation from previous slides
Subgroups of abelian groups are always normal, because for any H < G ,
Here are a few visualizations of this idea:
xH = {xh : h ∈ H} = {hx : h ∈ H} = Hx .

gn H Hgn
H Example
gn H ..
g1 H . Consider the subgroup H = �(0, 1)� = {(0, 0), (0, 1), (0, 2)} in the group Z3 × Z3 and
Hg2 ...
gn−1 H take g = (1, 0). Addition is done modulo 3, componentwise. The following depicts
g2 H g2 H the equality g + H = H + g :
... g1 H Hg1
(0,0) (0,1) (0,2) (0,0) (0,1) (0,2)
H H
(1,0) (1,1) (1,2) (1,0) (1,1) (1,2)

Subgroups whose left and right cosets agree have very special properties, and this is
the topic of this lecture. (2,0) (2,1) (2,2) (2,0) (2,1) (2,2)

Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 2/9 Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 3/9

Normal subgroups of nonabelian groups Example (HW 5)

A subgroup whose left and right cosets agree is normal and has very special Consider the subgroup K = �(1 2)(3 4)� of the alternating group G = A4 .
properties.
1. Describe all permutations in A4 .
Since subgroups of abelian groups are always normal, we will be particularly
interested in normal subgroups of non-abelian groups.

Example
Consider the subgroup N = {e, r , r 2 } ≤ D3 .
The cosets (left or right) of N are N = {e, r , r 2 } and Nf = {f , rf , r 2 f } = fN. The
following depicts this equality; the coset fN = Nf are the green nodes.
2. Determine whether K is normal in A4 .
f f
fN Nf
e e

r2 r r2 r

r2f rf r2f rf

Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 4/9 Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 5/9
Conjugate subgroups How to check if a subgroup is normal
For a fixed element g ∈ G , the set
If gH = Hg , then right-multiplying both sides by g −1 yields gHg −1 = H.
gHg −1 = {ghg −1 | h ∈ H}

is called the conjugate of H by g . This gives us a new way to check whether a subgroup H is normal in G .

Proposition 1 Theorem 3
For any g ∈ G , the conjugate gHg −1 is a subgroup of G . The following conditions are all equivalent to a subgroup H ≤ G being normal:
(i) gH = Hg for all g ∈ G ; (“left cosets are right cosets”);
Proof
(ii) gHg −1 = H for all g ∈ G ; (“only one conjugate subgroup”)
1. Identity: (iii) ghg −1 ∈ H for all h ∈ H, g ∈ G ; (“closed under conjugation”).
2. Closure:
3. Inverses: Every element (ghg −1 )−1 has an inverse, gh−1 g −1 . � �
Sometimes, one of these methods is much easier than the others!
Proposition 2 For example, all it takes to show that H is not normal is finding one element h ∈ H
gh1 g −1
= gh2 g −1
if and only if h1 = h2 . � for which ghg −1 �∈ H for some g ∈ G .

Note: if we happen to know that G has a unique subgroup of size |H|, then H must
be normal. (Why?)

Later, you will show that H and gHg −1 are isomorphic subgroups.
Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 6/9 Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 7/9

Example (from HW 5) Example (from HW 5)

Consider the subgroup H = �(1 2 3)� of G = A4 . The center of a group G is the set
1. Find all conjugates of the subgroup H. (Hint: There are only four) Z (G ) = {z ∈ G | gz = zg , ∀g ∈ G } = {z ∈ G | gzg −1 = z, ∀g ∈ G }
1. Prove that Z (G ) is a subgroup of G (similar to the proof of Prop 1)
Try (1 2 4) H (1 4 2)

Try (1 2)(3 4) H (1 2)(3 4)

2. Prove that Z (G ) is normal in G .

2. Is H normal in A4 ?

3. Compute the center of the following groups: C6 , D4 , D5 , Q8 , A4 , S4 .

3. Is the subgroup J = �(1 2)(3 4), (1 3)(2 4), (1 4)(2 3)� normal in A4 ?

Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 8/9 Sec 3.3 Normal subgroups Abstract Algebra I 9/9