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This is problem 26 from Grove's "Algebra."

Suppose $K$ is a conjugacy class in $S_n$ of cycle type $(k_1,...,k_n)$, and that $K \subseteq A_n$. If $\sigma \in K$ write $L$ for the conjugacy class of $\sigma$ in $A_n$.

If either $k_{2m} > 0$ or $k_{2m+1} > 1$ for some $m$ show that $L = K$.

I can show $L \subseteq K$ but not $K \subseteq L$. I don't know how to use the "$k_{2m} > 0$ or $k_{2m+1} > 1$" hypotheses. If $k_{2m} > 0$ for some $m$ then $\sigma \in A_n$ must have an even number of odd transpositions. Can I get a hint?

Thank you.

Edit: $k_m$ is the number of cycles of length m.

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    The obvious assumption is that $k_m$ is the number of cycles of length $m$, and I think the answers and comments are being given on this basis. The notation is not immediately obvious, though, and this understanding could usefully be confirmed.2012-06-16

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Suppose you have $\sigma'\in K$; you want to show that $\sigma'\in L$.

Because $\sigma'\in K$ you have $\tau\sigma\tau^{-1}=\sigma'$ for some $\tau\in S_n$. Now if $\tau\in A_n$ then $\sigma'\in L$ immediately. The problem is if $\tau$ is odd and so not in $A_n$.

The idea is now that if we can find an odd $\rho$ such that $\rho\sigma\rho^{-1}=\sigma$, then we would have $\sigma'=\tau\rho\sigma\rho^{-1}\tau^{-1}$ with $\tau\rho\in A_n$, and we could conclude $\sigma'\in L$.

How do we find $\rho$? This is where the additional assumption on the cycle structure comes in. We know that either $\sigma$ has a cycle of even length, or $\sigma$ has two cycles of the same odd length. If the first is true, then (blah blah); otherwise the second is true and (blah blah). Can you take it from here?

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    @StevenLi: Yes, exactly.2012-06-16