Proving the Center of a Group Generated by x and y is {e, x^n}

In summary, the task is to show that the center of the group G, defined as G=<x, y| x^{2n}=e, x^n=y^2, xy=yx^{-1}>, is equal to {e, x^n}. This is done by considering two cases: n=1 and n>1. For n=1, it is shown that if |x|=1 or 2, then x is in the center of G. For n>1, it is proven that the only elements in the center of G are {e, x^n}. This is done by breaking G into two subgroups and showing that x^n is the only element that commutes with all elements in G. Additionally
  • #1
tyrannosaurus
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Homework Statement



Let G=<x, y| x^{2n}=e, x^n=y^2, xy=yx^{-1}>. Show Z(G)={e, x^n}.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


So I tried breaking this up into cases:
Case 1: If n=1. then |x|=1 or 2. If |x|=1, then x=e and x would obviously be in the center.
If |x|=2, then xy=yx (since (y^-1)xy=x^-1 and x^-1 = x when |x|=2). Thus G is abelain, and Z(G) would be {e,x,y^2} but since y^2=x, are Z(G) would be {e,x}.
Case 2. n>1
If n>1 and the order of x>2, then xx^(n)=x^(n+1)=x^(n)x and x^(n)y=y^2y=y^3=yy^2=yx^n. Since x^n commutes with the generates of G, x^n commutes with all of G. But G is not abelain, because if it were, y^-1xy=y^-1yx=x=x^-1, which is not true when |x|>2. Thus, the only elements in Z(G) are {e,x^n}
 
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  • #2
How about this: since x^n=y^2, then G= <x> union y<x>. So G= {y^jx^i|0<=i<= n-1, 0<=j<=1}.
Is x^k an element of Z(G) for some k? So x^ky=yx^k, thus k=2 since x^2=y (do I need to say more?). Thus x^k is contained in the Z(G).
Is yx^k an element of Z(G) for some K? The answer is no, but how would I disprove it?
 

FAQ: Proving the Center of a Group Generated by x and y is {e, x^n}

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