Simplicity is directed union-closed
This article gives the statement, and possibly proof, of a group property (i.e., simple group) satisfying a group metaproperty (i.e., directed union-closed group property)
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Statement
Verbal statement
A directed union of simple subgroups is simple.
Statement with symbols
Suppose is a group, is a nonempty directed set, and is a collection of subgroups such that . Then, if all the s are simple, so is their union.
Definitions used
Directed set
A directed set is a partially ordered set such that if , there exists , such that .
Simple group
A nontrivial group is simple if it has no proper nontrivial normal subgroup.
Facts used
- Directed union of subgroups is subgroup
- Normality satisfies transfer condition: The intersection of a normal subgroup with another subgroup is normal in that subgroup.
Proof
Given: A group , a collection of simple subgroups indexed by a directed set , such that .
To prove: The union of is a simple subgroup.
Proof: Suppose is the union of the s. By fact (1), is a subgroup, so it suffices to show that is simple. We do this by showing that any normal subgroup of is either trivial or equal to .
For each , consider . By fact (2), this is a normal subgroup of , hence is either trivial or equals the whole of . Suppose . Then, is a normal subgroup of containing .
Now, consider any subgroup . By the definition of directed set, there exists such that . So, contains both and . Thus, the intersection is nontrivial (since the intersection contains ). By the simplicity of , and fact (2) again, , so . In particular, . Thus, every , is contained in , Thus, .
Thus, if for any , . This leaves the case that is trivial for every , forcing to be trivial, and thus forcing to be trivial.