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Question

Let $N_1$ and $N_2$ be normal subgroups of $G$.

Prove that $N_1N_2/(N_1\cap N_2) \cong (N_1N_2/N_1)\oplus (N_1N_2/N_2)$.

I think the homomorphism must be $\phi : N_1N_2 \to (N_1N_2/N_1)\oplus (N_1N_2/N_2)$

such that $\phi(n_1n_2)=(n_1n_2N_1,n_1n_2N_2)$

Then by 1st isomorphism theorem, $N_1N_2/ker\phi \cong Im\phi$

and $ker\phi = N_1 \cap N_2$

But it is hard to show that $\phi$ is surjective.

What should I do?

Community
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Pearl
  • 411

3 Answers3

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As you note, it is a simple application of the first isomorphism theorem.

You have correctly defined a morphism $$ \varphi : N_{1} N_{2} \to \dfrac{N_1 N_2}{N_1} \times \dfrac{N_1 N_2}{N_2} $$ by $$ \varphi(g) = (g N_{1}, g N_{2}), $$ and checked that the kernel is $N_{1} \cap N_{2}$.

As to the image, take an arbitrary element of $$ \dfrac{N_1 N_2}{N_1} \times \dfrac{N_1 N_2}{N_2} $$ and rewrite it $$ (n_{1} n_{2} N_{1}, n_{1}' n_{2}' N_{2}) = (n_{2} N_{1}, n_{1}' N_{2}) = (n_{1}' n_{2} N_{1}, n_{1}' n_{2} N_{2}) = \varphi(n_{1}' n_{2}), $$ where $n_{i}, n_{i}' \in N_{i}$.

Andreas Caranti
  • 68,873
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You can assume $N_1\cap N_2=\{1\}$, by working in $G/(N_1\cap N_2)$ and using the fact that $$ N_1N_2/N_1\cong(N_1N_2/(N_1\cap N_2))\big/(N_1/(N_1\cap N_2)) $$ and similary for the quotient modulo $N_2$. It is also not restrictive to assume $G=N_1N_2$.

In this case the isomorphism becomes the usual proof that, for a group $G$ with two normal subgroup $A$ and $B$ such that $AB=G$ and $A\cap B=\{1\}$, we have $G\cong A\times B$.

egreg
  • 238,574
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Here's a quick proof:

The second isomorphism theorem shows

$$ N_1N_2/(N_1)\cong N_2/(N_1\cap N_2) $$

and similarly for the other right-hand group.

So it would be enough to define a map $N_1\oplus N_2\rightarrow N_1N_2/(N_1\cap N_2)$ whose kernel is $N_1\cap N_2$. That should be easy.

Steve D
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  • I use the homomorphism $N_1 \oplus N_2 \to N_1N_2/(N_1\cap N_2) $ by $(n_1,n_2) $ to $ n_1n_2(N_1 \cap N_2)$. But it is hard to show that kernel is $N_1 \cap N_2$ – Pearl May 06 '16 at 22:40
  • @pearl: might be easier to consider each map in turn: so first look at the map $N_1\rightarrow N_1N_2/(N_1\cap N_2)$, and think about the kernel there. Do the same then for the $N_2$ side. – Steve D May 07 '16 at 00:31