Past exam of the logic and set theory course of the University of Oxford / 2009 / B / 6 / iii / Solution

If $X$ is finite and nonempty, let $n=|X|\ge 1$, choose a bijection with the cyclic group $\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z}$, and transport its addition to $X$. This includes the one-element case.

If $X$ is infinite, use the maximal partial group $(A,m)$ from the preceding part. Its carrier must be infinite: otherwise $|X\setminus A|<|A|$ would make the complement finite too, forcing $X$ finite. Since the complement injects into $A$,where the last equality is the permitted infinite-cardinal doubling identity. Cantor-Schröder-Bernstein supplies a bijection $j:X\to A$. DefineAssociativity follows by applying $j$ and using associativity of $m$; the identity is $j^{-1}(e_A)$ and the inverse of $x$ is $j^{-1}(j(x{)}^{-1})$. Hence $(X,\star )$ is a group.

This final transport need not extend the earlier partial operation on its original subset. That stronger claim is neither needed nor generally possible: for example a group of order three cannot occur as a subgroup of a group of order four. The proof establishes exactly the existence of some group structure on every nonempty set, using the allowed choice consequences in the infinite case.