In an abelian Group in which there are 2 subgroups of order m and n there is a subgroup of order mcm(m,n), how to prove?

Question

This is an Herstein's exercise

If an abelian group has two subgroups of order m and n, prove that it also has a subgroup of order lcm(m,n).

I've solved the exercise right before this, which is an analogue statement for elements

If an abelian group has two elements of order m and n, prove that it also has a element of order lcm(m,n).

I would like some hints (just give me half an hour) before a complete answer.

I'm trying to demonstrate that, given $H<G,K<G; m=\#H, n=\#K$ then $\#HK=r=$ lcm$(m,n)$

I know (/ I can prove) that $$\#HK={{\#H\#K}\over{\#(H\cap K)}}$$; so I would need to show, if my intuition is right this time, that $\#(H\cap K)=$ gcd$(m,n)$.

@Simon

Yes, I know that $\#H\cap K|\#H $ and $\#H\cap K|\#K $, but I don't know how to prove maximality. It sort of involves a converse of lagrange theorem, maybe. But Herstein implicitly wrote it was not needed.

@Qil

Ok, I believe I've proved what it's called Abelian groups fundamental theorem. I'll just sketch it here, so you can tell we if I'am using the concepts correctly.

Step 1 - Let $G$ be a group, and $H$ a normal subgroup. Then we can define an homomorphism to $G/H$ and consequently the isomorphism $$G\rightarrow H \times G/H.$$ Step 2 - Now, let G be an abelian group, all subgroups are normal. Let us consider $$\alpha_1=\max_G \{k:o(g)=k\} $$$$g_1\in G : o(g_1)=\alpha_1$$We know that $\alpha_1|n$ for Lagrange; we can now write, using step 1, the following isomorphism $$G\rightarrow \langle g_1\rangle \times G/\langle g_1\rangle$$ Step 3 - We repeat step two, substituting $G$ with $G/\langle g_1\rangle$ and find a non-increasing sequence $\alpha_1,\cdots,\alpha_k$ such that $n=\alpha_1\cdots\alpha_k$; each $\alpha_i$ corresponding to a cyclic group of order $\alpha_i.$

Step 4 - We know that every cyclic group of order $\beta$ has a subgroup of order $\beta_k$ iff $\beta_k | \beta$. We've obtained a decomposition of $G$ into cyclic groups of prime order.

Merging those bricks together leads us to any subgroup of order $d$ when $d|n$.

But would Herstein want us to prove this for that exercise?

$H\cap K$ is a subgroup of both $H$ and $K$, don't know whether it helps, just a first idea. — Simon Markett, Nov 02 '12 at 21:57
Let $G=\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z \times \mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z$, $H=\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z \times { 0}$ and $K= { 0}\times \mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z$. What is the order of $H\cap K$ and what is $\gcd(# H, # K)$ ? — , Nov 02 '12 at 22:14
@Temitope.A: Yes. but I added that link, maybe it inspires you. :) — Mikasa, Nov 03 '12 at 12:38

score -1 · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-03T21:19:45.883

-1

If $G$ is an abelian group of order $d$, then for any positive divisor $k$ of $d$, there is a subgroup of $G$ of order $k$.
Apply (1) to $HK$: let $e=\# (H\cap K)$. Then $\# (HK)=mn/e$. As $e \mid \gcd(m,n)$ and $mn=\gcd(m,n)\mathrm{lcm}(m,n)$, we see that $\mathrm{lcm}(m,n) \mid \# (HK)$. So (1) implies that $HK$ has a subgroup of order $\mathrm{lcm}(m,n)$.

edited Nov 03 '12 at 21:19

answered Nov 02 '12 at 22:35

Wait, isn't your example above a counterexample to using $HK$? – Temitope.A Nov 03 '12 at 09:57
@Temitope.A: no, I don't think so. I meant apply (1) with $G=HK$. I don't say $HK$ has order lcm$(m,n)$. – Nov 03 '12 at 10:45
Try looking at my edit in the post – Temitope.A Nov 04 '12 at 16:09
@Temitope.A: your step 1 is incorrect. Look at the example $G=\mathbb Z/4\mathbb Z$ and $H=2\mathbb Z/4\mathbb Z$. The result you can use is any finite abelian group is a finite product of $\mathbb Z/p^r\mathbb Z$ for various prime numbers $p$ and various positive integers $r$. – Nov 04 '12 at 17:11

In an abelian Group in which there are 2 subgroups of order m and n there is a subgroup of order mcm(m,n), how to prove?

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