Maximal implies normal or abnormal

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This article gives the statement, and possibly proof, of a result according to which any Maximal subgroup (?) of a group satisfies exactly one of the following two subgroup properties: Normal subgroup (?) and Abnormal subgroup (?)
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Statement

Any maximal subgroup of a group is either normal or abnormal.

Related facts

Weaker facts

Definitions used

Maximal subgroup

Further information: Maximal subgroup

A proper subgroup H of a group G is termed a maximal subgroup if there is no proper subgroup of G properly containing H. In other words, if K is a subgroup of G such that HKG, then H=K or K=G.

Normal subgroup

Further information: Normal subgroup

A subgroup H of a group G is termed normal in G if it satisfies the following equivalent conditions:

  • For any gG, the subgroup Hg:=g1Hg is equal to H.
  • The normalizer of H in G equals G.

Abnormal subgroup

Further information: Abnormal subgroup

A subgroup H of a group G is termed abnormal in G if, for any gG, gH,Hg where Hg:=g1Hg.

Proof

Given: A group G, a maximal subgroup H of G.

To prove: H is either normal or abnormal in G.

Proof: Let NG(H) be the normalizer of H in G. Then, HNG(H)G. Thus, either NG(H)=G, or H=NG(H). In the former case, H is normal in G.

In the latter case, H=NG(H). Now, pick any gG. Consider the subgroup Hg. There are three cases:

  • Hg is not contained in H: By maximality of H, H,Hg=G, so gH,Hg.
  • Hg=H: Thus, gNG(H), and since H=NG(H), we get gH. Thus, gH,Hg.
  • Hg is a proper subgroup of H: H is a proper subgroup of Hg1, forcing Hg1=G, which would imply that H=Gg=G, a contradiction.