# Math Help - the order of two elements in group

1. ## the order of two elements in group

Let G be an abelian group and let g,h in G, assume that |g|,|h| (the order of g and h) are both finite,with hcf(|g|,|h|)=1.then Prove that |g+h|=|g|*|h|
i dont know how to relate the order of g,h to the order of |g+h| could somone give me any hints ??

2. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

Start summing g+h with g+h. you'll get m(g+h), where m is an integer. since hcf(|g|,|h|)=1, the intersection of <g> and <h> is the {0}. thus, m(g+h)=mg+mh is always different from 0 unless both mg=0 and mh=0. That happens when m=lcm(|g|,|h|)=|g|*|h|.

3. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

why hcf(|g|,|h|)=1 implies the intersection of <g> and <h> is the {0}????

4. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

Suppose it isn't true, let t be an element of the intersection. t=ag=bh. we have t*|t|=(ag)*|t|=(bh)*|t|=0, the orders of g and h are a|t| and b|t|, which is a contradiction cuz they are supposed to have hcf=1

5. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

You need the theorem that if ng = 0, then |g| divides n. Using it, show that |g + h| divides |g| * |h|. Next, you need to prove that both |g| and |h| divide |g + h|. Since hcf(|g|, |h|) = 1, this would imply that |g| * |h| divides |g + h| and so |g + h| = |g| * |h|.

To prove that |g| divides |g + h|, consider |g + h|(g + h) = 0 and multiply both sides by the number (not a group element) |h|. Then use the fact above and (a generalization) of the Euclid's lemma.

6. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

Suppose it isn't true, let t be an element of the intersection. t=ag=bh. we have t*|t|=(ag)*|t|=(bh)*|t|=0, the orders of g and h are a|t| and b|t|
The last fact does not follow.

7. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

let |g| = k, |h| = m.

consider (km)(g+h) = (km)g + (km)h = (mk)g + (km)h (since km = mk in the the ring of integers)

= m(kg) + k(mh) = m(0) + k(0) = 0 + 0 = 0 (we are using the fact that an abelian group has a natural interpretation as a Z-module (the "laws of exponents" with "powers" meaning "repeated sums")).

since (km)(g + h) = 0, |g + h| divides km.

now suppose we write |g + h| = t.

this means that t(g +h) = tg + th = 0.

thus -th = tg, which shows that -th is in both <h> and <g>. so we'll be done if we can show that <g> ∩ <h> = {0}

(because this will show that -th = tg = 0, and thus th = -0 = 0, so k divides t, and m divides t).

by lagrange, |<g> ∩ <h>| divides <g> = k, and <h> = m. but gcd(k,m) = 1, so |<g> ∩ <h>| = 1, and thus must be the trivial subgroup.

8. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

thank you i see , many thanks 2 u!!!

9. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

Originally Posted by cummings123321
why hcf(|g|, |h|) = 1, this would imply that |g| * |h| divides |g + h|????
You first prove that |g| and |h| divide |g + h|, as describe in post #5.

10. ## Re: the order of two elements in group

yes,i get it now ,thanks a lot