Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ia Paper 3 2D i Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
False. A finite cyclic group has nonidentity torsion, whereas is torsion-free, so an injective homomorphism cannot exist.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ia Paper 3 7D Solution Created 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-09-25
For , finite fixed points obeywith the point at infinity included in the usual way when appropriate. The fundamental theorem of algebra on the Riemann sphere gives at least one fixed point. Unless is the identity, the equation is nonzero of degree at most two, so there are one or two distinct fixed points.
Let be a primitive th root of unity. For every ,has order , and these transformations are distinct as varies.
The converse as stated is false because matrix representatives may be rescaled: and define the same Möbius transformation, while neither nor is conjugate to (their traces differ).
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ib Paper 1 9E a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Let . The coset action gives a nontrivial homomorphism whose kernel is normal. Simplicity makes it injective. The sign map is trivial on the nonabelian simple image, so embeds in . For , is solvable, as are its subgroups, whereas a nonabelian simple group is not. Hence .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ib Paper 2 9E d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ib Paper 3 1E Solution Created 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-09-25
If a finite group is not simple, choose a maximal proper normal subgroup and repeat inside it. Orders strictly decrease, so the process terminates; maximality makes every quotient simple.
For one composition series isThe successive quotients have orders , hence are simple. As subgroups of , the groups , and are normal. The selected order-two subgroup is not normal, since conjugation permutes the three double transpositions.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ib Paper 4 11E b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
A hyperbolic triangle is bounded by three hyperbolic geodesic segments or rays. Its vertices may lie in the hyperbolic plane; an ideal vertex is their endpoint on the boundary at infinity. Every ideal angle is zero. Gauss-Bonnet theorem with curvature givesso an all-ideal triangle has area .
For fixed admissible angles, hyperbolic trigonometry determines all three side lengths from the angles, for exampleThus two such triangles are congruent. An orientation-preserving isometry can send one chosen vertex and oriented tangent to the corresponding data of the other, and the determined side lengths and angles then send the entire triangle to it. Since the orientation-preserving isometry group is , represented by , the stated action is transitive.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ii Paper 1 18J c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ii Paper 2 1G b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ia Paper 3 5D a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The order of is the least positive with . Division shows forces . Lagrange theorem follows because left cosets of a subgroup partition into equal blocks; applying it to shows . Coset multiplication makes a group when . If , then . Conversely, if , the order of divides both and , hence is one, so .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ia Paper 3 6D ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ib Paper 2 9E c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ii Paper 1 18F Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Orbits of the root action are precisely roots belonging to the same irreducible factor, proving transitivity iff irreducibility.
For a same-degree counterexample, let ,Both split in , but the first action has two orbits of size two while the second is transitive, so the subgroups are not conjugate in .
Over a finite field, Frobenius cycle type proves the assertion. The given quartic reduces over to , which is irreducible, so its group there is cyclic of order four generated by a -cycle.
Over the polynomial is irreducible by the same reduction. Modulo it factors as linear times irreducible cubic, so Dedekind factorization cycle test gives a -cycle; modulo it gives a -cycle. Its discriminant is , and modulo its factor degrees are , giving a transposition. These cycle types force the transitive group to be .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ii Paper 1 24G a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
A covering evenly covers every base point. It is regular covering map when deck transformations act transitively on fibres. For a concrete nonregular example, restrict toIt is a surjective three-sheeted unbranched cover with monodromy , so its deck group is not transitive.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ii Paper 2 19F a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The kernel is and is normal because . A one-dimensional representation kills every commutator. Conversely, irreducibles killing factor through the finite abelian group and are one-dimensional.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 ii Paper 2 20G a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25