# Math Help - Subgroup with prime index

1. ## Subgroup with prime index

Prove that $A_6$ has no subgroup of prime index.

2. Originally Posted by didact273

Prove that $A_6$ has no subgroup of prime index.
you can prove a much stronger result: if $n \geq 5$ and $H \lneq A_n,$ then $[A_n:H] \geq n.$ this is a quick result of this well-known fact that for any group G and any subgroup H of G of finite index, there

exists a normal subgroup N of G contained in H such that $[G:N] \mid [G:H]!.$

3. Originally Posted by NonCommAlg
you can prove a much stronger result: if $n \geq 5$ and $H \lneq A_n,$ then $[A_n:H] \geq n.$ this is a quick result of this well-known fact that for any group G and any subgroup H of G of finite index, there

exists a normal subgroup N of G contained in H such that $[G:N] \mid [G:H]!.$
Can't I deduce from the fact that since $A_6$ is a simple group, the only possible subgroup is {(1)} and itself, there is no subgroup of index p?

4. Originally Posted by didact273

Can't I deduce from the fact that since $A_6$ is a simple group, the only possible subgroup is {(1)} and itself, there is no subgroup of index p?
the only possible (proper) normal subgroup is {(1)}. see the definition of a simple group again!