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Subgroups

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Subgroups

Uploaded by

pjnew12345
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Subgroups

Let (G, ⋆) be a group and H be a non-empty subset of G, such that (H, ⋆) is a group then, “H” is called
a subgroup of G.

That means H also forms a group under a binary operation, i.e., (H, ⋆) is a group.

Also, any subset of a group G is called a complex of G.

• A subset H of a group G is a subgroup of G, if H itself is a group under the operation in G.

• A subgroup of a group consisting of only the identity element, i.e., {e} is called the trivial
subgroup.

• A subgroup H of a group G, a proper subset of G, i.e., H ≠ G is called the proper subgroup and
is represented by H < G. This can be read as “H is a proper subgroup of G”.

• If H is a subgroup of G, then G may be called an over group of H in some cases.

Properties of Subgroups

We can also prove the following statements using the properties of groups and subgroups.

1. Let H be any subgroup of G, such that H-1 = H and HH = H.

2. H is a non-empty complex of a group G. The necessary and sufficient condition for H to be a


subgroup of G is: a, b ∈ H ⇒ ab-1 ∈ H, where b-1 is the inverse of b in G.

3. H is a subgroup of G if and only if HH-1 = H.

4. If H and K are two subgroups of a group G, then HK is a subgroup of G if and only if HK = KH.

5. If H and K are two subgroups of a group G, then H ⋂ K is a subgroup of G.

6. The union of two subgroups of a group is a subgroup, if and only if one is contained in the other. (or)
If H and G are two subgroups of G, then H U K is a subgroup of G, if and only if H ⊆ K or K ⊆ H.
Theorem 1:

H is a subgroup of G. Prove that the identity element of H is equal to the identity element in G.

Proof:

Given that H is a subgroup of G.

Let us assume that e and e’ be the two identity elements in H and G, respectively.

Let a ∈ H ⇒ a ∈ G [since H is a subset of G]

Identity element in group H = e

Thus, a ⋆ e = e ⋆ a = a…..(1)

Identity element in group G = e

Therefore, a ⋆ e’ = e’ ⋆ a = a…..(2)

From (1) and (2),

a ⋆ e = a ⋆ e’

⇒ e = e’

That means, the identity element in H is equal to the identity element in G.

Hence proved.

Theorem 2:

H is a subgroup of G. The inverse of any element in H is equal to the inverse of the same element in
G.

Proof:

Given that H is a subgroup of G.

Consider a ∈ H ⇒ a ∈ G

Let us assume that b and c are two inverse elements of a in H and G respectively.

Let b be the inverse element of a in H.

Then, a ⋆ b = b ⋆ a = e….(1)

Let c be the inverse element of a in G.

Then, a ⋆ c = c ⋆ a = e….(2)

From (1) and (2),

a⋆b=a⋆c

⇒b=c
That means the inverse element of a in H is equal to the inverse element of a in G.

Hence proved.

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