Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2017 / Prelims / Mathematics I / 6 / b / iii / Solution

For $h\in H$, define $\pi (h)(n)=hn{h}^{-1}$. Since $N$ is a normal subgroup, this sends $N$ into itself. It preserves multiplication, and its inverse is conjugation by $h^{-1}$, so it is an group automorphism of $N$. MoreoverThus $\pi :H\to \mathrm{Aut}(N)$ is a group homomorphism, induced by the group action of conjugation.

If $\pi$ is trivial, every element of $H$ commutes with every element of $N$. Henceis a group homomorphism, since $(n_1{h}_1)(n_2{h}_2)=n_1{n}_2{h}_1{h}_2$. Its image of a group homomorphism is a subgroup containing both $N$ and $H$, and every product $nh$ lies in $⟨N,H⟩$, so its image is exactly $⟨N,H⟩$. If $nh=e$, then $n=h^{-1}\in N\cap H=\{e\}$, so $n=h=e$. Thus $F$ is injective and gives