Herstein: Topics in Algebra - Subgroups and A Counting

Principle
by Bret Sherfinski

May 29, 2015

23. In the group G of Herstein 2.5.21, let N = {τ1b ∈ G}. Prove

(1) N is a subgroup of G.
(2) If a ∈ G, n ∈ N , then ana−1 ∈ N .

Proof:
−1
(1) N is a subgroup of G since if τ1b , τ1d ∈ N then τ1b τ1d = τ(1)(b+d) ∈ N and τ1b =
τ(1)(−b) ∈ N .

(2) If a = τcd ∈ G then c 6= 0, d ∈ R and if n = τ1b ∈ N then:

−1
ana−1 = τcd τ1b τcd = τcd τ1b τ( 1 )(− d ) = τcd τ( 1 )(b− d ) = τ(1)(cb) ∈ N
c c c c