Kings College London

University Of London
This paper is part of an examination of the College counting towards the award of a degree. Examinations are governed by the College Regulations under the authority of the Academic Board.
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BSc and MSci Examination 5CCM232A (CM232A) Groups and Symmetries Summer 2011 Time Allowed: Two Hours
This paper consists of two sections, Section A and Section B. Section A contributes half the total marks for the paper. Answer all questions in Section A. All questions in Section B carry equal marks, but if more than two are attempted, then only the best two will count.

NO calculators are permitted.

TURN OVER WHEN INSTRUCTED

2011 c Kings College London

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5CCM232A (CM232A)

Section A

A 1.

(i) Give the denition of a group G.s (ii) Show that the set K= a b 0 c : a, b, c R, a = 0, c = 0

is a group with multiplication law the matrix multiplication (you can use without proof the properties of matrix multiplications). [16 points]

A 2.

(i) Give the denition of the property normal of a normal subgroup. (ii) Let H be a subgroup of G. State the equivalence relation that denes left cosets of G with respect to H , and show that it is an equivalence relation. (iii) Let H be a normal subgroup of G. Show closure of the multiplication law of the quotient group G/H = {gH : g G}. (iv) Find the left cosets of the dihedral group D3 = {e, a, a2 , b, ba, ba2 }, ab = ba2 , b2 = a3 = e with respect to the subgroup < a >. [18 points]

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5CCM232A (CM232A)

A 3.

For each mathematical object below, say what the symmetry transformations are and write down the symmetry group they form (the allowed transformations are rotations, reections and translations, of both space and time if applicable). You do not need to give any proof. (a) The set {(x, y ) R2 : x2 + y 2 = 1}. (b) The set {(x, 0) R2 : 2 < x < 2} {(0, 2), (0, 2)}. (c) The vector eld (x, y ) yex + xey . (d) The one-dimensional equation of motion x = bx for some xed real number b. [16 points]

Section B

B 4.

(i) The center Z (G) of any group G is normal. With an appropriate homomorphism , use the homomorphism theorem to prove that G/Z (G) = Inn(G), where Inn(G) is the group of inner automorphisms of G. You do not have to prove that the you choose is a homomorphism. (ii) Evaluate the center Z (SL(N, C)) of the group SL(N, C); say what group it forms. [25 points]

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5CCM232A (CM232A)

B 5.

For this question, you can use without proof all properties of homomorphisms. Let J be a group and G J a subgroup. Let : J G be a homomorphism that is onto, and which specialises to the identity on G, i.e. (g ) = g for all g G. Let H = ker . Consider the automorphism g : H H given by g (h) = ghg 1 , h H . (i) Show that the map : G Aut(H ) given by (g ) = g is a homomorphism (no need to prove that g is an automorphism). (ii) Show that J =G on J given by

H . For this, you may make use of the map acting x J,

(x) = ((x), x(x)1 ), proving all properties you need.

[25 points]

B 6.

Show that Zp Zq = Zpq if and only if p and q are relatively prime (do not have any factor in common other than 1). [25 points]

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