# Math Help - subgroup in A4 question

1. ## subgroup in A4 question

There is only one subgroup of order 4 in A4 (Alternating group of degree 4)(This subgroup is (1), (12)(34), (13)(24), (14)(23)). Why does this imply that this subgroup must be a normal subgroup in A4? Generalize to arbitrary finite groups.
I thought about using the fact that for some g that is an element of a group G, |gH^-1g^-1|=|H| (the order of the subgroup H equals each of its conjugates orders) in the whole group, I am not sure were to go from here. Can some help me on this one at all?

2. Originally Posted by wutang
There is only one subgroup of order 4 in A4 (Alternating group of degree 4)(This subgroup is (1), (12)(34), (13)(24), (14)(23)). Why does this imply that this subgroup must be a normal subgroup in A4? Generalize to arbitrary finite groups.
I thought about using the fact that for some g that is an element of a group G, |gH^-1g^-1|=|H| (the order of the subgroup H equals each of its conjugates orders) in the whole group, I am not sure were to go from here. Can some help me on this one at all?
Theorem: Let $G$ be a group and $N\leqslant G$ be the only group with order $|N|=n$. Then, $N\unlhd G$

Proof: Define $\theta_g:N\to gNg^{-1}$ by $n\mapsto gng^{-1}$. Clearly this is a bijection. But, notice that $geg^{-1}=e\in gNg^{-1}$, $gng^{-1},gn'g^{-1}\in gNg^{-1}\implies (gng^{-1})(gn'g^{-1})=gnn'g^{-1}\in gNg^{-1}$ and $gng^{-1}gn^{-1}g^{-1}=gnn^{-1}g^{-1}$ and since $n\in N\implies n^{-1}$ we see that $gng^{-1}\in gNg^{-1}\implies gn^{-1}g^{-1}\in gNg^{-1}$. Thus, $gNg^{-1}\leqslant G$. But, since $\theta_g$ was a bijection we know that $|gNg^{-1}|=n$ and since by assumption there was only one subgroup of that order it follows that $N=gNg^{-1}$. The conclusion follows.

3. could you explain this to me again, I am not getting it still.

4. Originally Posted by wutang
could you explain this to me again, I am not getting it still.
$N$ is a subgroup of order $n$...the ONLY subgroup of order $n$. But, given any $g\in G$, $gNg^{-1}$ is a subgroup of order $n$. Since there is ONLY ONE subgroup of order $n$ they have to be the same subgroup. Thus, $N=gNg^{-1}$. That's the definition of normality.

5. so since are subgroup of order 4 in A4 is the only subgroup of order 4 in A4 it must be normal because, Iam still lost, I thought I had it but I don't! This sucks.

6. could you explain specifictly for order 4 in A4 for me? I think I would get it if I just understood that one example.

7. never mind, I got it finally!!!!