Inverting without actual inverse?












1














I'm reading Ash's "Basic Abstract Algebra" and been trying to understand the following:




enter image description here




For which I guess the problem lies when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, it's inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.



My problem is the following, taking the definition of subgroup, we have:




  • If $a,bin H$, then $ab^{-1}in H$.


Then, all the elements $kcdot1=k$ and $1cdot h=h$ are in $HK$, that is: We have all the elements of both $H,K$ in $HK$. By the definition, suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?



It's a bit odd because it seems we can actually invert $hk$ by performing the two operations I mentioned before but $(hk)^{-1}$ is not actually in $HK$.










share|cite|improve this question





























    1














    I'm reading Ash's "Basic Abstract Algebra" and been trying to understand the following:




    enter image description here




    For which I guess the problem lies when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, it's inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.



    My problem is the following, taking the definition of subgroup, we have:




    • If $a,bin H$, then $ab^{-1}in H$.


    Then, all the elements $kcdot1=k$ and $1cdot h=h$ are in $HK$, that is: We have all the elements of both $H,K$ in $HK$. By the definition, suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?



    It's a bit odd because it seems we can actually invert $hk$ by performing the two operations I mentioned before but $(hk)^{-1}$ is not actually in $HK$.










    share|cite|improve this question



























      1












      1








      1







      I'm reading Ash's "Basic Abstract Algebra" and been trying to understand the following:




      enter image description here




      For which I guess the problem lies when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, it's inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.



      My problem is the following, taking the definition of subgroup, we have:




      • If $a,bin H$, then $ab^{-1}in H$.


      Then, all the elements $kcdot1=k$ and $1cdot h=h$ are in $HK$, that is: We have all the elements of both $H,K$ in $HK$. By the definition, suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?



      It's a bit odd because it seems we can actually invert $hk$ by performing the two operations I mentioned before but $(hk)^{-1}$ is not actually in $HK$.










      share|cite|improve this question















      I'm reading Ash's "Basic Abstract Algebra" and been trying to understand the following:




      enter image description here




      For which I guess the problem lies when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, it's inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.



      My problem is the following, taking the definition of subgroup, we have:




      • If $a,bin H$, then $ab^{-1}in H$.


      Then, all the elements $kcdot1=k$ and $1cdot h=h$ are in $HK$, that is: We have all the elements of both $H,K$ in $HK$. By the definition, suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?



      It's a bit odd because it seems we can actually invert $hk$ by performing the two operations I mentioned before but $(hk)^{-1}$ is not actually in $HK$.







      abstract-algebra group-theory






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      edited 1 hour ago

























      asked 1 hour ago









      Billy Rubina

      10.3k1458134




      10.3k1458134






















          2 Answers
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          $newcommand{Span}[1]{leftlangle #1 rightrangle}$Allow me first of all to question your statement




          when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, its inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.




          This is not true. Take for instance $G = S_{3}$, $H = Span{(1 2)}$, $K = Span{(1 2 3)}$, $h = (1 2)$, $k = (1 2 3)$. Then $h^{-1} k^{-1} = (2 3) ne (1 3) = k^{-1} h^{-1} in H K = S_{3}$.



          As to your second statement




          suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?




          I fail to see the point. Sure, $h k$ has an inverse $k^{-1} h^{-1}$ in $G$, and that's what you are checking. But to show that $H K$ is a subgroup you will have to show that (under suitable conditions) this inverse lies precisely in $H K$.






          share|cite|improve this answer





























            0














            Assume $HK = KH$. To show that $HK$ is a subgroup, consider $g_1= h_1k_1, g_2 = h_2k_2$ in $HK$. We have $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} in KH = HK$, hence $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} = hk$ with $h in H, k in K$. Then $g_1g_2^{-1} = h_1k_1k_2^{-1}h_1^{-1} = h_1hk in HK$.



            If you consider $hk in HK$, then you see even easier $(hk)^{-1} = k^{-1}h^{-1} in KH = HK$.






            share|cite|improve this answer





















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              2 Answers
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              2 Answers
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              active

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              4














              $newcommand{Span}[1]{leftlangle #1 rightrangle}$Allow me first of all to question your statement




              when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, its inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.




              This is not true. Take for instance $G = S_{3}$, $H = Span{(1 2)}$, $K = Span{(1 2 3)}$, $h = (1 2)$, $k = (1 2 3)$. Then $h^{-1} k^{-1} = (2 3) ne (1 3) = k^{-1} h^{-1} in H K = S_{3}$.



              As to your second statement




              suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?




              I fail to see the point. Sure, $h k$ has an inverse $k^{-1} h^{-1}$ in $G$, and that's what you are checking. But to show that $H K$ is a subgroup you will have to show that (under suitable conditions) this inverse lies precisely in $H K$.






              share|cite|improve this answer


























                4














                $newcommand{Span}[1]{leftlangle #1 rightrangle}$Allow me first of all to question your statement




                when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, its inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.




                This is not true. Take for instance $G = S_{3}$, $H = Span{(1 2)}$, $K = Span{(1 2 3)}$, $h = (1 2)$, $k = (1 2 3)$. Then $h^{-1} k^{-1} = (2 3) ne (1 3) = k^{-1} h^{-1} in H K = S_{3}$.



                As to your second statement




                suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?




                I fail to see the point. Sure, $h k$ has an inverse $k^{-1} h^{-1}$ in $G$, and that's what you are checking. But to show that $H K$ is a subgroup you will have to show that (under suitable conditions) this inverse lies precisely in $H K$.






                share|cite|improve this answer
























                  4












                  4








                  4






                  $newcommand{Span}[1]{leftlangle #1 rightrangle}$Allow me first of all to question your statement




                  when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, its inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.




                  This is not true. Take for instance $G = S_{3}$, $H = Span{(1 2)}$, $K = Span{(1 2 3)}$, $h = (1 2)$, $k = (1 2 3)$. Then $h^{-1} k^{-1} = (2 3) ne (1 3) = k^{-1} h^{-1} in H K = S_{3}$.



                  As to your second statement




                  suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?




                  I fail to see the point. Sure, $h k$ has an inverse $k^{-1} h^{-1}$ in $G$, and that's what you are checking. But to show that $H K$ is a subgroup you will have to show that (under suitable conditions) this inverse lies precisely in $H K$.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  $newcommand{Span}[1]{leftlangle #1 rightrangle}$Allow me first of all to question your statement




                  when we try to take an element $hkin HK$, its inverse is $k^{-1}h^{-1}$ but $k^{-1}h^{-1}in HK$ only if $k^{-1}h^{-1}=h^{-1} k^{-1}$.




                  This is not true. Take for instance $G = S_{3}$, $H = Span{(1 2)}$, $K = Span{(1 2 3)}$, $h = (1 2)$, $k = (1 2 3)$. Then $h^{-1} k^{-1} = (2 3) ne (1 3) = k^{-1} h^{-1} in H K = S_{3}$.



                  As to your second statement




                  suppose we have $hkin HK$, then we must have $(hk)(k^{-1})$ and $(hkk^{-1})(h^{-1})$. Isn't this very similar to having the inverse of $hk$ in $HK$?




                  I fail to see the point. Sure, $h k$ has an inverse $k^{-1} h^{-1}$ in $G$, and that's what you are checking. But to show that $H K$ is a subgroup you will have to show that (under suitable conditions) this inverse lies precisely in $H K$.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered 1 hour ago









                  Andreas Caranti

                  55.9k34295




                  55.9k34295























                      0














                      Assume $HK = KH$. To show that $HK$ is a subgroup, consider $g_1= h_1k_1, g_2 = h_2k_2$ in $HK$. We have $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} in KH = HK$, hence $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} = hk$ with $h in H, k in K$. Then $g_1g_2^{-1} = h_1k_1k_2^{-1}h_1^{-1} = h_1hk in HK$.



                      If you consider $hk in HK$, then you see even easier $(hk)^{-1} = k^{-1}h^{-1} in KH = HK$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer


























                        0














                        Assume $HK = KH$. To show that $HK$ is a subgroup, consider $g_1= h_1k_1, g_2 = h_2k_2$ in $HK$. We have $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} in KH = HK$, hence $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} = hk$ with $h in H, k in K$. Then $g_1g_2^{-1} = h_1k_1k_2^{-1}h_1^{-1} = h_1hk in HK$.



                        If you consider $hk in HK$, then you see even easier $(hk)^{-1} = k^{-1}h^{-1} in KH = HK$.






                        share|cite|improve this answer
























                          0












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                          0






                          Assume $HK = KH$. To show that $HK$ is a subgroup, consider $g_1= h_1k_1, g_2 = h_2k_2$ in $HK$. We have $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} in KH = HK$, hence $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} = hk$ with $h in H, k in K$. Then $g_1g_2^{-1} = h_1k_1k_2^{-1}h_1^{-1} = h_1hk in HK$.



                          If you consider $hk in HK$, then you see even easier $(hk)^{-1} = k^{-1}h^{-1} in KH = HK$.






                          share|cite|improve this answer












                          Assume $HK = KH$. To show that $HK$ is a subgroup, consider $g_1= h_1k_1, g_2 = h_2k_2$ in $HK$. We have $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} in KH = HK$, hence $(k_1k_2^{-1})h_2^{-1} = hk$ with $h in H, k in K$. Then $g_1g_2^{-1} = h_1k_1k_2^{-1}h_1^{-1} = h_1hk in HK$.



                          If you consider $hk in HK$, then you see even easier $(hk)^{-1} = k^{-1}h^{-1} in KH = HK$.







                          share|cite|improve this answer












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                          answered 44 mins ago









                          Paul Frost

                          9,1511631




                          9,1511631






























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