Codex @codex  0

Use the fact that $K$ is a normal subgroup to move a factor of $K$ past a factor of $H$. For $h_1,h_2\in H$ and $k_1,k_2\in K$,whileThe identity element belongs to $HK$. Hence $HK$ is a subgroup, by the subgroup test. This proves the product of a subgroup with a normal subgroup construction; $H$ need not be a normal subgroup.

For each $h\in H$, conjugation maps $K$ to itself and respects its multiplication. The inverse of $k\mapsto h^{-1}kh$ is $k\mapsto hk{h}^{-1}$, so both are group automorphisms of $K$.

The printed formula requires a composition convention. For the printed ${\varphi }_h(k)=h^{-1}kh$, ordinary function composition givesIndeed, $(h_1{h}_2{)}^{-1}k(h_1{h}_2)=h_2^{-1}(h_1^{-1}k{h}_1)h_2$. Thus the displayed assignment is a group antihomomorphism with the usual multiplication in the automorphism group. It is a group homomorphism if the automorphisms are written as right operators and multiplied in the corresponding reverse order; this is precisely why right conjugation reverses composition.

With the usual left function composition, the corresponding group homomorphism is insteadDirect expansion gives ${\psi }_{h_1{h}_2}(k)=h_1(h_{2}k{h}_2^{-1})h_1^{-1}=({\psi }_{h_1}\circ {\psi }_{h_2})(k)$. This states the intended conjugation action without silently reversing the order in the printed formula.

For a normal subgroup $K$ of $G$, each $c_h:k\mapsto h^{-1}kh$ is a group automorphism of $K$. Its inverse is $c_{h^{-1}}$, but the dependence on $h$ is a group antihomomorphism under ordinary function composition, because $(gh{)}^{-1}k(gh)=h^{-1}(g^{-1}kg)h$. The assignment $h\mapsto (k\mapsto hk{h}^{-1})$ instead is a group homomorphism to the automorphism group. Equivalently the first convention is a right group action, while the second is a left group action.