Normal of finite index implies quotient-powering-invariant

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., normal subgroup of finite index) must also satisfy the second subgroup property (i.e., quotient-powering-invariant subgroup)
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Statement

Suppose G is a group and H is a normal subgroup of finite index in G, i.e., H is a normal subgroup of G and the index of H in G is finite. Then, H is a quotient-powering-invariant subgroup of G, i.e., if G is powered over a prime number p, then so is the quotient group G/H.

Related facts

Facts used

  1. Divisibility is inherited by quotient groups
  2. Finite and p-divisible implies p-powered

Proof

Proof using given facts (less explicit)

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Given: A group G, a normal subgroup H of G such that the index of H in G is finite (in other words, the quotient group G/H is a finite group). G is powered over a prime p.

To prove: G/H is also powered over p.

Proof:

Step no. Assertion/construction Facts used Given data used Previous steps used Explanation
1 G is p-divisible. G is p-powered. By definition, being powered over a prime p means every element has a unique pth root, which implies that every element has a pth root (the definition of p-divisible).
2 G/H is p-divisible. Fact (1) H is normal in G. Step (1) Step-fact combination direct.
3 G/H is p-powered. Fact (2) H is normal of finite index, so G/H is a finite group. Step (2) Step-fact-given direct.

Hands-on proof

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This is the same as the preceding proof, but shows all the details explicitly without appeal to separate facts.

Given: A group G, a normal subgroup H of G such that the index of H in G is finite (in other words, the quotient group G/H is a finite group). A prime number p such that for any gG, there is a unique xG such that xp=g.

To prove: For every aG/H, there is a unique bG/H such that bp=a.

Proof: Let φ:GG/H be the quotient map.

Step no. Assertion/construction Facts used Given data used Previous steps used Explanation
1 The map xxp in G descends to the corresponding map xxp in the quotient group G/H. H is normal in G. Direct from definition of quotient group structure.
2 The map xxp in G/H is surjective from G/H to itself. In other words, for any aG/H, there exists bG/H such that bp=a. G is p-powered. For any aG/H, pick gG in that coset (so φ(g)=a). There exists xG such that xp=g, since G is p-powered. Let b=φ(x) be the coset of x. Then, we have that bp=a.
3 The map xxp in G/H is bijective from G/H to itself. In other words, for any aG/H, there exists bG/H such that bp=a. H is normal of finite index, so G/H is a finite group. Step (2) Follows directly from Step (2) and the observation that any surjective map from a finite set to itself must be bijective.