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Is the map ga = a a group action?

Yes, the map ga=aga = a for all g∈Gg \in G and a∈Aa \in A is a group action, known as the trivial action. It satisfies both the compatibility and identity properties of a group action.

Conditions

  • GG is a group and AA is a set.
  • The map is defined by ga=aga = a for all g∈Gg \in G and a∈Aa \in A.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Check the domain and codomain: the map takes (g,a)∈G×A(g, a) \in G \times A and outputs a∈Aa \in A.
  2. Verify the compatibility property: g1⋅(g2⋅a)=g1⋅a=ag_1 \cdot (g_2 \cdot a) = g_1 \cdot a = a and (g1g2)⋅a=a(g_1 g_2) \cdot a = a, so they are equal.
  3. Verify the identity property: 1⋅a=a1 \cdot a = a, which is trivially satisfied.

Example

The lecturer writes out the steps to verify the properties for the example ga=aga = a: g1⋅(g2⋅a)=g1⋅a=a=(g1g2)⋅ag_1 \cdot (g_2 \cdot a) = g_1 \cdot a = a = (g_1 g_2) \cdot a.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming that a map must change the elements of AA to be a valid group action; the trivial action does not change the elements.
  • Confusing the trivial action with the identity element of the group.

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