Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2014/prelims/mathematics-i/7/b/ii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford 2014 Prelims Mathematics I 7 b ii Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
By Lagrange's theorem, the index of a subgroup is . Thus the set of left cosets has three elements, and the preceding group action yields a group homomorphism after labelling them.
Its image is a subgroup of , so its order divides . By the first isomorphism theorem, also divides . Hence its order divides , giving possibilities and . The action on cosets is transitive: sends to . It cannot be the trivial action on a three-element set, so the image does not have order . ThereforeIt follows that . Part (b)(i) gives , and ; equal finite orders force equality. A kernel of a group homomorphism is a normal subgroup, soThis is an instance of the fact that a subgroup of index the smallest prime divisor is normal.
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