Show that the groups are abelian

[mathmari]

Hey! :giggle:

Let $p<q$ different prime numbers.
a) If $q\neq 1\pmod p$ show that each group of order $pq$ is abelian.
b) If $q\neq \pm 1\pmod p$ show that each group of order $pq^2$ is abelian.I have done the following :

a) Let $H$ be a $p$-Sylow subgroup of $G$ and let $K$ be a $q$-Sylow subgroup of $G$.
From Sylow theorem we have that the number of $p$-Sylow subgroups of $G$ is $\equiv 1\pmod p$, i.e. of the form $1+kp$ and divides the order of the group, $pg$.
The $1+kp$ doesn't divide $p$.
The $p$ and $q$ are prime numbers, $1+kp$ doesn't divide $p$ so it must divide $q$.
The $q$ is prime, so its divisors are $1$ and $q$. So $1+kp=1$ or $1+kp=q$.
From the second case we have $1+kp=q \Rightarrow kp=q-1$, a contradiction since $q\neq 1\pmod p$.
Therefore it must be $1+kp=1$, i.e. there is only one $p$-Sylow subgroup of $G$.
Similarily, there is only one $q$-Sylow subgroup of $G$.
In general : A group $G$ has exactly one $p$-Sylow group $P$ iff $P$ is normal.
Therefore $H$ and $K$ are normal subgroupsof $G$.
Since $p$ and $q$ are prime, $H$ and $K$ are cyclic. Let $H=\langle x\rangle$ and $K=\langle y\rangle$.
To show that $G$ is abelian, we show that it is cyclic.
To show that $G$ is cyclic, we have to show that $xy=yx$, since then $\text{ord}(xy)=\text{ord}(x)\cdot \text{ord}(y)=p\cdot q$.
Since $H$ and $K$ are normal, we have that \begin{align*}&xyx^{-1}y^{-1}=(xyx^{-1})y^{-1}\in Ky^{-1}=K \\ &xyx^{-1}y^{-1}=x(yx^{-1}y^{-1})\in xH=H\end{align*}
Let $c\in H\cap K$. Then it mus be $\text{ord}(c)\mid p$ and $\text{ord}(c)\mid q$, since $(p,q)=1$ it follows that $\text{ord}(c)\mid 1 \Rightarrow c=e$.
Therefore $xyx^{-1}y^{-1}=e \Rightarrow xy=yx$.

b) Let $G$ be a group of order $pq^2$.
Let $n_p$ the number of $p$-Sylow subgroups of $G$ and $n_q$ the number of $q$-Sylow subgroups of $G$.
Since $G$ has finite order and $q$ is prime with $q\mid\text{ord}(G) \Rightarrow q\mid pq^2$ and $q\nmid p$ (prime to each other) we have from Sylow Theorem that \begin{align*}&n_q\equiv 1\pmod q \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (\star) \\ &n_q\mid p\end{align*}
Since $n_q\mid p$ and since $p$ is prime we have that $n_q=1$ or $n_q=p$.
If $n_q=p$ then from $(\star)$ we have that $p\equiv 1\pmod q \Rightarrow q\mid p-1$, a contradiction since $q>p$.
So it must be $n_q=1$, i.e. there is only one $q$-Sylow subgroup of $G$, say $G_q$.
From Lagrange Theorem the possible orders of a subgroup of $G$ are $1, q, q^2, p, pq, pq^2$.
Therefore $G_q$ has order $q^2$.
Since $G$ has a unique subgroup of order $q^2$, since $n_q=1$,it follows that $G_q$ is normal in $G$.
So $$\{0\}\leq G_q\leq G$$ We have that $\left |\frac{G_q}{\{0\}}\right |=g^2$.
In general : Each group of order $q^2$ is abelian.
Therefore $G_q/\{0\}$ is abelian.
We also have that $\left |\frac{G}{G_q}\right |=p$.
The $p$ is prime and so $|G/G_q|$ is syclic, and so abelian.Is everything correct and complete? :unsure:

 

[jvicens]

Hi there! Your response looks great overall. I just have a few suggestions for improvement:

1. In part (a), you could add a bit more explanation for why $H$ and $K$ must be normal subgroups. For example, you could mention that $H$ and $K$ are the only $p$-Sylow and $q$-Sylow subgroups respectively, and therefore must be normal by a property of Sylow subgroups.

2. In part (b), when you say "the possible orders of a subgroup of $G$ are $1, q, q^2, p, pq, pq^2$", you could explain why this is the case. For example, you could mention that this follows from the fact that the order of a subgroup must divide the order of the group.

3. In both parts, you could also mention that since $p$ and $q$ are prime, the orders of $H$ and $K$ must be relatively prime, and therefore $H$ and $K$ must have trivial intersection. This would help to explain why $xy=yx$ in part (a) and why $G_q/\{0\}$ is abelian in part (b).

Overall, your response is correct and complete. Great job! :)