Chapter 12: Problem 7
Show that every subgroup of rotations in a dihedral group \(D_{n}\) is normal in \(D_{n}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Every subgroup of rotations in a dihedral group is normal because it remains invariant under conjugation by any element of the group.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Dihedral Group
The dihedral group, denoted as \( D_n \), consists of the symmetries of a regular \( n \)-gon, including both rotations and reflections. Specifically, \( D_n \) contains \( n \) rotations and \( n \) reflections, making a total of \( 2n \) elements.
02
Identify Normal Subgroup
A subgroup \( H \) of a group \( G \) is normal if it is invariant under conjugation by elements of \( G \). This means for every \( h \in H \) and every \( g \in G \), the element \( g h g^{-1} \) must also be in \( H \). We aim to show all rotation subgroups in \( D_n \) meet this criterion.
03
Subgroup of Rotations
The subgroup of rotations in \( D_n \) is cyclic and generated by a single rotation \( r_k \) where \( r_k = r^{k} \) and \( r \) is a basic rotation of \( 360/n \) degrees. This subgroup includes \( \{e, r, r^2, \ldots, r^{n-1}\} \).
04
Conjugation by Rotation
Consider conjugating an element \( r^{k} \) in the rotations subgroup by a rotation \( r^{m} \). \( r^{m} r^{k} (r^{m})^{-1} = r^{m} r^{k} r^{-m} = r^{k} \). Since the result is still \( r^{k} \), conjugation by a rotation leaves rotation elements unchanged.
05
Conjugation by Reflection
Now consider conjugation by a reflection \( s \). For rotation \( r^{k} \), conjugate by \( s \): \( s r^{k} s^{-1} = (sr^{k}s) = r^{-k} \). Since \( r^{-k} \) is also a rotation, it remains within the subgroup \( \{e, r, r^2, \ldots, r^{n-1}\} \).
06
Conclusion
Since both conjugations by any element \( r^{m} \) or \( s \) in \( D_n \) keep elements within the rotation subgroup, the subgroup of rotations is invariant under all conjugations by elements of \( D_n \). Hence, the subgroup is normal in \( D_n \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Normal Subgroup
Understanding what a normal subgroup is can be very helpful. Consider a group with a special subset that behaves nice when mixed with the whole group. This subset is known as a "normal subgroup". In a group, if you can conjugate any element from this subgroup with any element from the entire group, and the result stays within the subgroup, then it’s labeled a normal subgroup.
- Conjugation means pulling a member of the subgroup to the group and back.
- The subgroup retains its structure, despite this mixing with the entire group.
Subgroup of Rotations
In a dihedral group, especially one denoted as \(D_n\), rotations form their own subgroup. This subgroup is special because it includes only rotations and not reflections. Visualize this as a spinning wheel where each spoke represents a rotation. The motions of this wheel, when separated from reflections, make the rotation subgroup.
- These rotations are characterized by finite, regular angles. Each angle is a multiple of \(360/n\) degrees.
- Rotations include movements like \( e \, (identity), r, r^2, \ldots, r^{n-1} \).
Conjugation
Conjugation in mathematical groups is like a transformation or reshuffling of elements, maintaining structure. It’s an interesting way to mix elements.
- Think of conjugation as a dance: a pair of elements performing a sequence leading them back to another position in the group.
- In \(D_n\), conjugating a rotation with any element be it another rotation or even a reflection leads to a result that remains as a rotation within the subgroup.
Cyclic Subgroup
A cyclic subgroup is like repeating a simple step to cover the entire floor. Here, the step denotes one basic element that generates all others through repetition. In rotation subgroups, a single basic rotation is repeated until all rotations are expressed.
- Formally, it takes one element, \( r \), and all subsequent elements are powers of this \( r \): \( r^1, r^2, \ldots \).
- This structure is linear, making it easy to navigate and understand.