Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2023/ii/paper-3/18i/a/solution

Let be a finite subgroup of and let be its exponent of a finite group. A finite abelian group contains an element whose order is its exponent: combine elements of maximal prime-power order across the primary components. Hence .
Every satisfies , so all elements are roots in the field of the nonzero polynomial . The Lagrange root bound over a field gives . Therefore , and the element of order generates . This proves that a finite subgroup of a field multiplicative group is cyclic.

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