Direct factor implies central factor

From Groupprops

This article gives the statement and possibly, proof, of an implication relation between two subgroup properties. That is, it states that every subgroup satisfying the first subgroup property (i.e., direct factor) must also satisfy the second subgroup property (i.e., central factor)
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Statement

Verbal statement

Any direct factor of a group is a central factor.

Statement with symbols

Suppose H is a direct factor of a group G, i.e., H is a normal subgroup of G and there exists a normal subgroup K of G such that HK=G and HK is trivial. Then, H is a central factor of G, i.e., HCG(H)=G.

Related facts

Converse

Stronger facts

Other related facts

Facts used

  1. Internal direct product implies internal central product

Proof

Given: A group G, normal subgroups H,K of G such that HK=G and HK is trivial.

To prove: HCG(H)=G.

Proof:

  1. Every element of H commutes with every element of K: For hH and kK, the commutator [h,k]=hkh1k1 is in H (because H is normal) and is also in K (because K is normal). (This is based on one of the equivalent definitions of normal subgroup. It can also be seen by seeing that [h,k]=h(kh1k1)=(hkh1)k1). Since HK is trivial, we obtain that [h,k] is the identity element, so hk=kh.
  2. KCG(H): This is a reformulation of the previous step.
  3. HCG(H)=G: Since KCG(H), G=HKHCG(H)G. Equality holds throughout, so HCG(H)=G.