Proving Properties of a Group with Every Element of Order 2

In summary, the conversation discusses a group G where every element except the identity has an order of 2. The main question is to show that a subset of G, formed by combining a subgroup H and a left coset of xH, is also a subgroup. The conversation also touches on proving that if G is finite, then its order must be a power of 2. The attempt at a solution includes using the fact that every element in G is its own inverse and that the order of G is determined by the number of elements and the number of sets formed by the elements.
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Homework Statement


Let G be a group such that every x in G\{e} has order 2.
(a) Let H<=G be a subgroup. Show that for every x in G the subset H U (xH) is also a subgroup.
(b) Show that if G is finite, then |G|=2^n for some integer n.


The Attempt at a Solution


For (a), I know that since x is also part of G, then if multiplied to H (left coset) it will also still be contained in G, but I don't know how to prove it.
For (b), since the order of every element in G is 2, then every set in G has 2 elements, so the order of G is just 2(elements) times how many sets there are...also having trouble proving this.

Please let me know if my train of thoughts are right.
 
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  • #2
Hint for (a): Notice that every element is its own inverse.

Hint for (b): Use part (a).
 

FAQ: Proving Properties of a Group with Every Element of Order 2

What is a group?

A group is a mathematical structure consisting of a set of elements and an operation that combines any two elements in the set to form a third element.

What does it mean for an element to have an order of 2 in a group?

An element has an order of 2 in a group if when the element is combined with itself using the group operation, the result is the identity element of the group.

How do you prove properties of a group with every element of order 2?

To prove properties of a group with every element of order 2, you can use the definition of a group and the properties of elements with order 2. You may also use mathematical induction to prove the properties for all elements in the group.

What are some examples of groups with every element of order 2?

Some examples of groups with every element of order 2 include the dihedral group, the symmetric group, and the cyclic group of order 2.

Why is it important to prove properties of a group with every element of order 2?

Proving properties of a group with every element of order 2 can help us understand the structure and behavior of the group. It can also help us make connections between different groups and develop new mathematical concepts and theories.

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