8
$\begingroup$

Call a group $G$ finitely generated if there is a finite subset $X \subseteq G$ with $G = \langle X \rangle$. Prove that every subgroup $S$ of a finitely generated abelian group $G$ is itself finitely generated. (This can be false if $G$ is not abelian.)

Use induction on $n \geq 1$, where $X = \{a_1, \ldots ,a_n \}$. The inductive step should consider the quotient group $G/\langle a_{n+1} \rangle$.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ I think, this is not too advanced. And principal ideal is really easy. For example, $(2)=2\mathbb{Z}$ is a principal ideal. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 2, 2014 at 13:08
  • $\begingroup$ @DietrichBurde this is the answer i am looking for, do not require fancy theorems $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 3, 2014 at 14:29

1 Answer 1

11
$\begingroup$

We want to prove by induction on $n$ that every subgroup of an abelian group generated by $n$ elements is finitely-generated. If $n=1$, it is clearly true. From now on, suppose it is true for $n$.

Let $G= \langle a_1, \dots, a_{n+1} \rangle$ be an abelian group, $H \leq G$ be a subgroup and $\rho : G \to G/ \langle a_{n+1} \rangle$ be the quotient map. Notice that the group $G/ \langle a_{n+1} \rangle$ is generated by $\{ \rho(a_1) , \ldots, \rho(a_n) \}$, so by our induction hypothesis, the subgroup $\overline{H}:= \rho(H)$ is finitely generated: let $X=\{h_1,\dots, h_m\} \subset H$ be such that $\rho(X)$ generates $\overline{H}$.

On the other hand $H \cap \langle a_{n+1} \rangle$ is a cyclic group, say generated by $h_{m+1} \in H$. Now, we want to prove that $Y= \{h_1, \dots, h_m,h_{m+1} \}$ generates $H$.

Let $h \in H$. Of course, there exists a word $w \in \langle h_1,\dots, h_m \rangle$ such that $\rho(w)=\rho(h)$. Therefore, $h=w+k$ for some $k \in \mathrm{ker}(\rho)= \langle a_{n+1} \rangle$. Furthermore, $k=h-w \in H$ so $k=p \cdot h_{m+1}$ for some $p \in \mathbb{Z}$ since $\langle a_{n+1} \rangle \cap H = \langle h_{m+1} \rangle$. Finally, $$h=w+p \cdot h_{m+1} \in \langle h_1, \ldots, h_m,h_{m+1} \rangle = \langle Y \rangle,$$

so $Y$ generates $H$.

$\endgroup$
9
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ can you explain your solution with more details? i don't quite understand your proof $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 2, 2014 at 18:19
  • $\begingroup$ I tried to be clearer, but please, be more precise when you need some explanation. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 2, 2014 at 19:15
  • $\begingroup$ why h = w + k ? and if k = h - w belongs to H, shouldn't k be generated by generators of H instead, why is it k = p h_m+1? $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 3, 2014 at 1:41
  • $\begingroup$ where is the condition of abelian used in your proof? $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 3, 2014 at 6:41
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ We used the fact that $G$ is abelian because we considered the quotient $G/ \langle a_{n+1} \rangle$ without wondering whether $\langle a_{n+1} \rangle$ is normal or not. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 3, 2014 at 7:41

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.