# Math Help - Deducing a relation from others

1. ## Deducing a relation from others

Hello, I'm trying to deduce the relation $xy^4 = y^4 x$ from $xy^2 = y^3 x$ and $yx^3 = x^2y$. So far I've gotten:

$[x,y^4] = x^{-1} y^{-4} xy^4 = x^{-1}y^{-4}(xy^2)y^2 = x^{-1} y^{-1} (xy^2) = x^{-1}y^{-1} y^3 x = x^{-1}y^2x$

However, everything I try from this point onwards seems to make it more complicated. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2. Hmm...

Suppose that $xy^{4}=y^{4}x$ is true and that $xy^{2} = y^{3}x$ and $yx^{3} = x^{2}y$. Then

$xy^{4} = y^{6}x = y^{4}x \Rightarrow y^{2}= e \Rightarrow x = yx \Rightarrow y \,\,\text{is the identity}$

But then $x^{3} = x^{2} \Rightarrow x \,\,\text{is the identity.}$ This would be a consequence of these relations; does this make sense in the group your considering? I only ask because its nice to know that it's plausible to derive the first relation from the other two before you begin. If $x,y$ are definitely not the identity element then you needn't waste your time!

Please make sure I haven't made a silly mistake because I excel at those.

3. Well the question asks for this group with presentation $\langle x, y \mid xy^2 = y^3 x, yx^3 = x^2 y \rangle$. No other relations are given and the 3rd relation was given as a hint. I arrived at the same conclusion as you, but I just can't seem to get the third relation.