Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2014/prelims/mathematics-i/7/b/i/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford 2014 Prelims Mathematics I 7 b i Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
Define on the set of left cosets. It is well-defined: if , then for some , so . The identity fixes each coset, and associativity in givesHence this is a left group action, and part (a) supplies its group homomorphism .
An element of the kernel of a group homomorphism fixes every coset, in particular itself. Thus implies , which implies . ThereforeThe subgroup symbol is justified because a kernel of a group homomorphism is a subgroup, and the argument proves containment.
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