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What is the kernel of the group action?

The kernel of the group action is the set of group elements gg such that ga=aga = a for all a∈Aa \in A. It is denoted as {g∣ga=a}\{g \mid ga = a\}.

Conditions

  • A group action of GG on AA is given.
  • The set consists of elements g∈Gg \in G satisfying the fixing condition for all a∈Aa \in A.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify the group action of GG on AA.
  2. Find the set of all g∈Gg \in G such that ga=aga = a for every a∈Aa \in A.
  3. This set is called the kernel of the group action.

Example

For the trivial action ga=aga = a, the kernel is the entire group GG. For the S3S_3 permutation action on {x1,x2,x3}\{x_1, x_2, x_3\}, the kernel is {1}\{1\}, the singleton containing the identity.

Common misconceptions

  • Confusing the kernel of a group action with the kernel of a group homomorphism.
  • Assuming the kernel is always the trivial subgroup {1}\{1\}.

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