# Math Help - Homomorphism and order of groups

1. ## Homomorphism and order of groups

Question: If $f: G \rightarrow H$ is a homomorphism and $gcd(\mid G \mid, \mid H \mid ) = 1$, prove that $f(x) = 1$, $\forall x \in G$.

I am able to write down some simple results but is unable to piece them together. I have the following:
1) Since ker(f) is a subgroup of G and im(f) is a subgroup of H, $gcd(\mid ker(f) \mid, \mid im(f) \mid ) = 1$. This is acheived after some manipulation.

2) Since f is a homomorphism, order of f(x) divides the order of x

3) I tried to work towards showing that kef(f) = G as this will result in $f(x) = 1$, $\forall x \in G$. But could not get anywhere close to it.

4) Alternatively, i tried to show that im(f) = {1}. Similarly, I could not get anything.

So is there anything that i missed out? Thank You.

2. ## Re: Homomorphism and order of groups

f(G) (or im(f) as you call it) is a subgroup of H, so |f(G)| divides |H|.

let K = ker(f), then |f(G)| = |G|/|K| (since f(G) is isomorphic to G/ker(f), by the FIT).

thus |K||f(G)| = |G|, so |f(G)| divides |G|. this implies |f(G)| divides gcd(|G|,|H|).