Questions tagged [abelian-groups]

For questions about abelian groups, including the basic theory of abelian groups as a topic in elementary group theory as well as more advanced topics (classification, structure theory, theory of $\mathbb{Z}$-modules as related to modules over other rings, homological algebra of abelian groups, etc.). Consider also using the tag (group-theory) or (modules) depending on the perspective of your question.

An abelian or commutative group is a group $(G,*)$ in which all elements commute: $$\forall a,b\in G\,\,, a*b=b*a\,.$$ Usually the product is denoted by $+$ in an abelian group, and the identity of the group by $0$. Abelian groups are also known as modules over the ring $\mathbb{Z}$ of integers.

Examples include the integers $\mathbb{Z}$ under addition, as well as the rationals $\mathbb{Q}$ under addition. In fact, every cyclic group is an abelian group. Non-examples include $S_3$, the symmetry group on three elements, as well as $\mathrm{SO}(3)$, the rotations in three dimensions.

The fundamental theorem of abelian groups says that all finite abelian groups are direct products of cyclic groups, themselves abelian.

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The direct sum $\oplus$ versus the cartesian product $\times$

In the case of abelian groups, I have been treating these two set operations as more or less indistinguishable. In early mathematics courses, one normally defines $A^n := A\times A\times\ldots\times A$; however in, for example, the fundamental…
Sputnik
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If $G/Z(G)$ is cyclic, then $G$ is abelian

Continuing my work through Dummit & Foote's "Abstract Algebra", 3.1.36 asks the following (which is exactly the same as exercise 5 in this related MSE answer): Prove that if $G/Z(G)$ is cyclic, then $G$ is abelian. [If $G/Z(G)$ is cyclic with…
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Order of elements is lcm-closed in abelian groups

How can I prove that if $G$ is an Abelian group with elements $a$ and $b$ with orders $m$ and $n$, respectively, then $G$ contains an element whose order is the least common multiple of $m$ and $n$? It's an exercise from Hungerford's book, but it's…
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Prove that if $(ab)^i = a^ib^i \forall a,b\in G$ for three consecutive integers $i$ then $G$ is abelian.

I've been working on this problem listed in Herstein's Topics in Algebra (Chapter 2.3, problem 4): If $G$ is a group such that $(ab)^i = a^ib^i$ for three consecutive integers $i$ for all $a, b\in G$, show that $G$ is abelian. I managed to prove…
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Prove that if $g^2=e$ for all $g$ in $G$ then $G$ is Abelian.

Prove that if $g^2=e$ for all $g$ in $G$ then $G$ is Abelian. This question is from group theory in Abstract Algebra and no matter how many times my lecturer teaches it for some reason I can't seem to crack it. (Please note that $e$ in the…
Siyanda
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Group of order 15 is abelian

How do I prove that a group of order 15 is abelian? Is there any general strategy to prove that a group of particular order (composite order) is abelian?
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Structure Theorem for abelian torsion groups that are not finitely generated?

I know about the structure theorem for finitely generated abelian groups. I'm wondering whether there exists a similar structure theorem for abelian groups that are not finitely generated. In particular, I'm interested in torsion groups. Maybe…
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Prove that every group of order $4$ is abelian

How can I show that every group of order $4$ is abelian? Let's denote $e,a,b,c$ as the four elements of the group. Since $e$ is identity, we have $e*x=x*e$ for every $x$: $$\begin{array}{|c|cccc|} \hline & e & a & b & c \\\hline e & e & a & b…
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Are $(\mathbb{R},+)$ and $(\mathbb{C},+)$ isomorphic as additive groups?

Are $(\mathbb{R},+)$ and $(\mathbb{C},+)$ isomorphic as additive groups? I know that there is a bijection between $\mathbb{R}$ and $\mathbb{C}$, and this question asks whether they are isomorphic as abelian groups, are they referring to the…
mez
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A nonsplit short exact sequence of abelian groups with $B \cong A \oplus C$

A homework problem asked to find a short exact sequence of abelian groups $$0 \rightarrow A \longrightarrow B \longrightarrow C \rightarrow 0$$ such that $B \cong A \oplus C$ although the sequence does not split. My solution to this is the sequence…
user3533
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Let $C$ be the commutator subgroup of $G$. Prove that $G/C$ is abelian

Trying to get my head around the commutator subgroup. This is an excercise from Artin's Algebra: Let $C$ be the commutator subgroup of $G$. Prove that $G/C$ is abelian. Here is what I've done: Let $xC,yC \in G/C$ then $xyx^{-1}y^{-1}C = C$ since…
user50948
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In a group we have $abc=cba$. Is it abelian?

Let $G$ be a group such that for any $a,b,c\ne1$: $$abc=cba$$ Is $G$ abelian?
user59671
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Showing that a finite abelian group has a subgroup of order $m$ for each divisor $m$ of $n$

I have made an attempt to prove that a finite abelian group of order $n$ has a subgroup of order $m$ for every divisor $m$ of $n$. Specifically, I am asked to use a quotient group-induction argument to show this. I'd appreciate comments on the…
Alex Petzke
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Computing the Smith Normal Form

Let $A_R$ be the finitely generated abelian group, determined by the relation-matrix $$R := \begin{bmatrix} -6 & 111 & -36 & 6\\ 5 & -672 & 210 & 74\\ 0 & -255 & 81 & 24\\ -7 & 255 &-81 & -10 \end{bmatrix}$$ Reduce this matrix using…
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Is every quotient of a finite abelian group $G$ isomorphic to some subgroup of $G$?

I'm having difficulty with exercise 1.43 of Lang's Algebra. The question states Let $H$ be a subgroup of a finite abelian group $G$. Show that $G$ has a subgroup that is isomorphic to $G/H$. Thinking about this for a bit, the only reasonable…
yunone
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