Problem sheet I: Group theory

February 2023

1. Show that the set of all integers, positive, negative and zero forms a group w.r.t. addition. Indicate the nature
of the group. Show that the same does not form a group under multiplication.
2. Show that a set of non-zero rational numbers is an abelian group w.r.t. multiplication. [Alternatively, prove
that if P is a set of non-zero rational numbers, then (P, +) is an abelian group.]
3. Show that the set S of all integers does not form a group under the operation defined as: x ∗ y = x − y for every
x, y ∈ S.
4. Prove that if every members of a group G be its own inverse, then G is abelian.
5. Show that the following 2 × 2 matrices constitute a multiplicative group:
       
1 0 −1 0 1 0 −1 0
A= ,B = ,C = ,D =
0 1 0 1 0 −1 0 −1

6. Show that the following 2 × 2 matrices constitute a multiplicative abelian group:

       
1 0 0 1 −1 0 0 −1
A= ,B = ,C = ,D =
0 1 −1 0 0 −1 1 0

7. Show that the following set of matrices constitute a multiplicative group of order six:
           
1 0 −1 1 0 −1 −1 0 1 −1 0 1
, , , , ,
0 1 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 1 0 −1 1

8. Show that the set S = {1, ω, ω 2 }, where, ω is a cubic root of unity forms a finite cyclic abelian group under the
composition of multiplication.
9. Show that the set of all n-th roots of unity form a finite abelian group G of order n under multiplication.
10. Show that the set {1, −1, i, −i} forms a cyclic group for multiplication. Find its generator.

11. Show that the group of order 2 and 3 are always cyclic.
12. Generate a group, under multiplication, starting from an element subject to the condition an = e, where e is
identity element and n is the smallest possible integer.
13. Find all the generators of the cyclic group G = {a, a2 , a3 , a4 , a5 , a6 , a7 , a8 = e}.

14. If a is an element of a group with identity element e and if a2 = a, then show that a = e.
15. Prove that the set of matrices given as:
 
cos α − sin α
Aα =
sin α cos α

forms an abelian group under multiplication, α being real.

16. Show that the infinite set of positive and negative integers and zero does not form a group under multiplication.

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17. Show that the set of all 2 × 2 non-singular matrices having their elements as real numbers is a non-abelian group
under matrix multiplication as composition.
18. Show that the set of all 2 × 2 matrices forms a group under matrix addition.
19. Prove that the set of even integers forms an additive group. Show further that the group is abelian. If the set
be of odd integers, prove that it does not form a group with respect to addition.

20. For a set Q of all positive rational numbers, the operation defined by a ∗ b = ab/3, a, b ∈ Q, then show that Q
is a commutative group.
21. Show that the set G of all integers forms a group under the binary composition defined by a ∗ b = a + b + 1;
a, b ∈ G.
22. Prove that the six matrices given as:
   
cos θ sin θ cos θ sin θ 2π 4π
, ; θ = 0, ,
− sin θ cos θ sin θ − cos θ 3 3

form a group with respect to matrix multiplication.

23. Show that the set G of all unitary unimodular (N × N ) matrices forms a group. (unimodular means the
determinant of the matrix is +1) under matrix multiplication. Is this a finite group?
24. If a and b be two elements ofa group G, then show that (ab)2 = a2 b2 , if and only if G is abelian.