Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-algebra-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2011/6/b/solution
Past exam of the algebra course of the University of Oxford 2011 6 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
Over , the first nonzero column of an invertible matrix has choices and the second has choices. The surjective determinant homomorphism onto has kernel . ThusIt acts on the nine one-dimensional subspaces of , namely the projective line , by fractional linear transformations. Any element acting trivially fixes , which forces it to be scalar. A scalar matrix in has ; in characteristic two this implies . Thus the action is faithful.
The action is transitive: any nonzero vector can be completed to a determinant-one basis, so any line can be reached. The stabilizer of isOn finite points this is . Squaring permutes the seven nonzero field elements, so these are exactly the affine maps . In particular translations act transitively on all eight finite points. Thus the full action is doubly transitive. The point stabilizer has order , and all point stabilizers are conjugate.
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