8767: Q49

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
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YKM
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:25 am

8767: Q49

Post by YKM » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:32 am

If the finite group G contains a subgroup of order 7 but no element (other than the identity) is its own inverse, then the order of G could be?

The answer is (C) 35.


I am a bit confused with the red part and how the answer was obtained, can anyone explain to me?


Thanks

blitzer6266
Posts: 61
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:08 pm

Re: 8767: Q49

Post by blitzer6266 » Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:30 pm

If there is a subgroup of order k inside a group of order n, then k divides n.

Thus, in our group, 7 divides the order.

We can also deduce that the order is not even as follows: Suppose it were even. Then by Cauchy's theorem (if p prime divides n, then G has an element of order p), our group has an element of order 2. But an element of order 2 is a g such that g^2 = e. This contradicts our assumption (it is its own inverse).

I'm guessing 35 was the only of the choices that was odd and a multiple of 7.

YKM
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:25 am

Re: 8767: Q49

Post by YKM » Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:05 am

Thanks, Yes 35 is the only odd multiple of 7.



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