If is the character of , then Burnside lemma applied to the diagonal action on givesFor a transitive action , this also equals the number of double cosets in .
For the order-eight dihedral group generated by of order four and of order two with , let . There are exactly three double cosets: , , and , of sizes two, two, and four. Their number does not divide eight. This differs from the number of ordinary cosets, which divides group order by Lagrange's theorem.
Double-coset Hecke algebra Created 2026-10-05 Updated 2026-10-06
For a group and subgroup such that every double coset has finitely many orbits under left multiplication by , this algebra consists of complex -bi-invariant functions on supported on finitely many double cosets. Its convolution isThe double coset indicator functions form a basis. On invariant modular functions it acts on the right by . For and , rational conjugation of finite-index modular subgroups verifies the finiteness condition. The determinant- Hecke operator uses the indicator of all integral determinant- matrices, not only a single double coset when is composite.
Double-coset sizes not dividing group order 2026-10-06
A double coset is generally not a subgroup, so Lagrange's theorem does not force its size to divide the ambient group order. In , take . Then has size two, while has size four, which does not divide six. The general size formula explains why different double cosets can have different sizes.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 iii Paper 3 2 b Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Here is the double-coset criterion for a one-point extension. Let , and suppose swaps and . Then is a one-point extension if and only ifFor necessity, in an extension fixes both and , so normalizes it and lies in it. Since is transitive on , the extension has exactly two double cosets relative to : and . For , moves into and is in the latter double coset.
For sufficiency, the displayed conditions make closed under multiplication. Products with middle element in reduce using ; those with middle element outside remain in . A finite nonempty multiplication-closed set of permutations containing the identity is a group. It contains and , hence equals . Every element in moves , while fixes it, giving the required stabilizer subgroup. The group is transitive because is transitive on and moves the additional point.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 ia Paper 3 7D b iii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-06
False. Realize the symmetries of a square as a dihedral group of order eight, generated by and , with and . Take . Its double cosets are preciselyThese are disjoint and exhaust the eight symmetries. There are three double cosets, and . This proves that double-coset counts need not divide group order. Specifying the order-eight realization avoids competing conventions for the notation of a dihedral group.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 ia Paper 3 7D b ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-06
False. Use the same subgroups of . The double coset has two elements, while has four. Thus even a fixed pair of subgroups can give different double-coset sizes. Their disjoint union is all six elements of .