What is the definition of a normal subgroup (or invariant subgroup) of a group G?
Conditions
- H is a subgroup of G
- The condition must hold for all elements in H
- The condition must hold for all elements g in G
Reasoning, step by step
- Identify the parent group G and the subgroup H.
- Take an arbitrary element from H and apply a conjugation operation using an element g from G.
- Verify that the resulting conjugate element still belongs to H.
- Conclude that if this holds for all elements in H and all g in G, H is a normal subgroup.
Example
The instructor states: 'If all conjugates of elements in H belong to H, then H is called an invariant subgroup of G—or a normal subgroup.' The board displays the formula .
Common misconceptions
- Thinking that only some elements of H need to have their conjugates remain in H; the definition requires this for ALL elements.
- Confusing a normal subgroup with any arbitrary subgroup; normality is a special property related to conjugation.
Watch the explanation
Connected concepts
Explore next
Related questions
In the context of group theory, represents the left coset of the subgroup H with respect to the element g, while represents the right coset of H with respect to g. For a normal subgroup, these two sets are identical.
Conditions: H is a subgroup of G; g is an element of the group G
A normal subgroup satisfies because its defining property is that it is invariant under conjugation, meaning . By right-multiplying both sides of this equation by , the and cancel out, yielding the equality of the left coset and the right coset .
Conditions: H is a normal subgroup of G; g is an element of the group G
No, replacing the representative element g with another element g' from the same coset does not yield a different coset. If g' belongs to the same coset as g (i.e., ), then the coset generated by g' is identical to the coset generated by g ().
Conditions: g and g' are both elements of the group G; g' and g belong to the same coset
We can traverse all elements of a group G by constructing cosets using a subgroup H. By multiplying every element g in G with the subgroup H (forming left cosets gH or right cosets Hg), the union of all distinct cosets covers every element of G exactly once.
Conditions: G is a group; H is a subgroup of G
We can intuitively understand a normal subgroup by visualizing the group G as an outer rectangle and the subgroup H as an inner rectangle. The condition means that if you 'transport' the entire region H using an element g and then bring it back using , the resulting region still lies completely within H.
Conditions: H is a subgroup of G; g is an element of G outside H
Answers are generated from source material and independently checked. Consult the original video or creator if something is unclear.