Let $g$ be an element of a group $G$, and suppose that $|G|=mn$ where $m$ and $n$ are coprime. Prove that there are unique elements $x$ and $y$ of $G$ such that $xy=g=yx$ and $x^m=1=y^n$.
$G$ is a group with order $mn$ where $m$ and $n$ are coprime. Then for any $g$ there are $x$ and $y$ such that $xy=g=yx$ and $x^m=1=y^n$.
1 Answers
Suppose such $x,y $ exist. Then $g=xy = (xy)^1$.
$m, n $ are coprime so according to Bezout's identity there are integers $a,b $ such that $am+bn=1$.
Replacing the $1$ in the previous equality, $g=(xy)^{am+bn} $.
Given that $x,y $ commute and $x^m=y^n=1$, we get $g=x^{bn}y^{am} $.
We get the two equations $g=xy $ and $g=x^{bn}y^{am} $.
So $y = x^{-1}g $ and substituting $y $ in the second equality, $g = x^{bn}(x^{-1}g)^{am} = x^{bn}g^{am} $, so $x^{bn} = g^{1-am}$.
Using $am+bn=1$ twice, we get $x=g^{bn}$. This gives $y=g^{am} $.
You can verify that $x=g^{bn}, y=g^{am} $ verify your hypothesis, hence the existence.
Now, for uniqueness, I'll let you prove that $a $ is unique mod $n $ and $b $ is unique mod $m $ and why this is enough to assert uniqueness.
Hint: for the first part, try solving $tm+un =1$ for integers $t, u $, knowing that $am+bn=1$.
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0Thanks! That's quite straightforward – 2017-02-04
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0I've asked two questions tonight and both of them were easily answered. Maybe that's because i haven't get in touch with abstract algebra for a year. I think i need some time to restore. – 2017-02-04
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1Honestly, I wouldn't say that it was easy. It took me some time and several tentatives before getting something interesting. It's not hard, but it's not easy either. – 2017-02-04
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0Can you point out to me where you prove that such $x$ and $y$ exists and where it is given that $x$ and $y$ commute and $x^m=y^n=1$? – 2017-02-05
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1@user170039 : first, I assumed such x,y exist. I prove then that, assuming existence, necessarily $x=g^{bn}, y= g^{am} $. Then, I say that $x=g^{bn}, y= g^{am} $ exist and are indeed a solution ("you can verify that..."), hence the existence. I did not really prove it in my post, but it is easy to verify that such x,y exist, commute and verify $x^m=y^n=1$ and as such are a solution. – 2017-02-05