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Here's a hint (that I found helpful):
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=[[HW2_MA453Fall2008walther|HW2]], Chapter 5 problem 6, Discussion, [[MA453]], [[user:walther|Prof. Walther]]=
  
Consider an element of A_{10} as a permutation written in disjoint
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Problem Statement:
cycle notation.  The lengths of the cycles must add up to no more than
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10, since the permutations are of degree 10.  Odd cycles have lengths
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2, 4, 6, 8.  Even cycles have lengths 3, 5, 7, 9.  Since we're dealing with the
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alternating group, odd cycles must occur in pairs, otherwise you would
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have an odd permutation (not an even one).  Determine the combination
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of cycle lengths that add up to no more than 10, form an even
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permutation, and have the largest LCM.
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Enjoy!
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Show that <math>A_8</math> contains an element of order 15
  
~A. Bishel
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----
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The problem asks us to show that <math>A_8</math> contains an element of order 15.
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Now bear with me, because I feel like I'm only on the cusp of understanding this stuff, but I think we can show it this way:
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We have 8 elements:
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'''1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8'''
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that we can arrange into cycles 3 and 5:
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'''(123)(45678)'''.
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Now since the lcm of 3 and 5 is 15, the order of this element is 15, from pg 101 in the book.
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We can verify that this element is, in fact, in <math>A_8</math> by examining the transpositions:
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'''(123)''' --> '''(12)(13)''' = 2
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'''(45678)''' --> '''(45)(46)(47)(48)''' = 4
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Since 4 + 2 = 6 is even, this element belongs to <math>A_8</math>.
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QED?  Please correct me if I'm doing this wrong.
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-Tim
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----
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This also works if you follow Anna's suggestion for problem #8:  5 and 3 are the logical primes which add to 8 and whose lcm is 15.
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----
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[[HW2_MA453Fall2008walther|Back to HW2]]
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[[Main_Page_MA453Fall2008walther|Back to MA453 Fall 2008 Prof. Walther]]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 22 October 2010

HW2, Chapter 5 problem 6, Discussion, MA453, Prof. Walther

Problem Statement:

Show that $ A_8 $ contains an element of order 15


The problem asks us to show that $ A_8 $ contains an element of order 15.

Now bear with me, because I feel like I'm only on the cusp of understanding this stuff, but I think we can show it this way:

We have 8 elements:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

that we can arrange into cycles 3 and 5:

(123)(45678).

Now since the lcm of 3 and 5 is 15, the order of this element is 15, from pg 101 in the book. We can verify that this element is, in fact, in $ A_8 $ by examining the transpositions:

(123) --> (12)(13) = 2

(45678) --> (45)(46)(47)(48) = 4

Since 4 + 2 = 6 is even, this element belongs to $ A_8 $.

QED? Please correct me if I'm doing this wrong.

-Tim


This also works if you follow Anna's suggestion for problem #8: 5 and 3 are the logical primes which add to 8 and whose lcm is 15.


Back to HW2

Back to MA453 Fall 2008 Prof. Walther

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